DHARAMSHALA: The Department of Education concluded a ten-day workshop on Tibetan cultural dances at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) yesterday. Over 24 Tibetan cultural dance teachers from 17 different CTSA schools attended the workshop.

The workshop was organised by the traditional education section of the Department of Education. The chief guest at the closing ceremony was Mr Topgyal Tsering, Secretary of the Department of Education. Other guests include Mrs. Tsering Yangkyi, Director of TIPA, Mr. Tsering Samdup, Education Officer and Mrs Tsering Yangkyi from the Education department.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Secretary Topgyal Tsering said that Tibetan songs and dances are an important aspect of our Tibetan culture. Under the visionary leadership of His Holiness, this performing arts institute was established so that we can pass our cultural heritage to the next generation of Tibetans, he said.

He urged the teachers to work hard and use their cultural knowledge to teach Tibetan children about the rich heritage of Tibet. He also said that our cultural dances and songs are an important part of our identity which distinguishes us from the Chinese.

The ten-day workshop included Lhamo (Tibetan opera) practices, developing musical instrument skills, dance steps and vocal training. The workshop was conducted by several senior Tibetan artists from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts.