French Cultural Capital Honours Tibetan Culture

Paris 6 November: Within the European Cultural capital, the city of Lille, in northern France, the regional TSG Tibet 59 & 62 has organised the TIBET DAYS from 4 to 9 November 2004. The programmes feature a permanent exhibition of photos taken in Dharamsala charting the life of the exile community, and also of Tibet itself, and calligraphy by Mr. Lobsang Samten. A Tibetan tent, with typical Tibetan home furniture, altar, Tibetan ritual instruments, thangkas (traditional scroll painting), religious artifacts and different kinds of traditional hats are put on display.

The exhibition was formally inaugurated on 4 November in the presence of Ms. Verbrugghe, representative from the Mayor of Lille and head of human rights section of the city hall, and Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Paris, as chief guests. Ms. Verbrugghe, in her inaugural speech, underlined the importance for her town to participate in such event which not only gives an opportunity to open to other cultures but also help understand the values and richness of the Tibetan culture. She said the City of Lille understands the dramatic situation of human rights and threat to the cultural identity of the Tibetan people, and therefore, supports it.

Mr Tashi Phuntsok thanked the City Hall, its Mayor, the TSG Tibet 59/62 and its members, and all the participants for arranging the event. He applauded the quality of the exhibition and variety of the programmes presented saying that it will inform the visitors about the richness of the Tibetan culture. He, however, insisted the importance of safeguarding the Tibetan people and their basic rights without which the culture will become a mere item for display in a museum. He welcomed all to take part in the different activities, including the teachings on Buddhism by Geshe Lobsang Thupten, projection of documentary movie on eastern Tibet followed by public talk by an Mr. Louis Blanchard, an experienced traveller, introduction to Tibetan medicine by Dr. Tseten and finally a chanting concert by Gyuto monks on the 8th evening.

Meanwhile, What Remains of Us, an award winning documentary, was shown at the French Senate on November 2 by the Tibet Group of the French Senate. Ms Michele Andre, Vice President of the Senate, Mr. Louis de Broissia, President of the Senate’s Tibet Group, Mr Lionnel Luca, National Assembly’s Tibet Group President, and representatives of different TSGs and NGOs were present. Mrs Kalsang Dolma, co-producer of the documentary came for the screening and fielded questions from the audience.

Representative Tashi Phuntsok introduced the evening with a brief report of various activities the parliamentary groups and the Bureau were planning. He thanked Kalsang Dolma for making the film and her presence at the screening.

Report courtesy: OoT, Paris