Roundup: His Holiness’ Birthday Celebrations in Russia, Taiwan, Delhi

Dharamshala, 20 July 2005– Hundreds of thousands of people across Russia have been immersed in an overwhelming feast of 70th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. From mass prayers to exhibitions and concerts, the faithful and supporters of His Holiness in Moscow, Elista, Kuva and Buriatya were heavily into the festivities of the occasion with full religious fervour and gaiety.

Moscow: Tibet Culture & Information Centre (Office of Tibet, Moscow) in collaboration with the local Tibetans and Russian friends celebrated the 70th birthday of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. The function was held in one of the most prestigious concert halls “DOM KINO” at 1900 hrs. in central Moscow. It was attended by more than 1300 guests from all walks of live. Amongst the guests there were representatives from the Russian President’s Administrative Office, Moscow city government, Assistants from Duma (Russian parliament), Mongolian Acting Ambassador and his colleagues, heads of various NGOs, Museum directors, and religious faiths.

The official function started with the welcome speech by Representative Tashi. Then the birthday greeting messages from the Patriach of All Russia and Moscow Alexei II, Khambo Lama of Buriatya, Chairman of Tuva republic government, Governor of Aginsky-Buriatskyi Autonomous Region, Duma members Mr.Ioseff Kobzon, Mr.Andrey Skoch, Mr.Kuznitsov and others were read. It was followed by speeches from distinguished guests. Kalmyk President Kirsan Ilumjhinov had to cancel his participation at the last half an hour as he was called by Mr.Kazakov, the President Putin’s Representative in Southern region of Russian Federation for an emergency heads of regions meetings in connection with bomb blast in Dagestan.

Gyudme tantric monks performed long life prayers for His Holiness. Tibetan singers and artists from Kalimpong Ganjong Doegar, Tibetan singer Loten Namling from Switzerland and also artists from Butriatya, Kalmykia and Tuva republics performed traditional dances, songs, operas, yak and lion dances.

His Holiness’ book “The Power of Compassion” and also the official website of OoT, Moscow in Russian were released. The colour full booklets on His Holiness and batches of portrait of His Holiness, and T-shirts were also freely distributed.

The photo exhibition on the life of His Holiness and also a twenty five minute documentary film on His Holiness in Russian language were and demonstrated.

Elista, Kalmykia: In connection with the celebration of 70th birthday of His Holiness in Russia a nine day Tibet Festival was organized in Elista, the capital of Kalmyk Buddhist republic. After the 70th birthday celebration in Moscow, the Gyudme Tantric Monastery monks, Tibetan singers and artists from Kalimpong Gangjong Doegar and Switzerland accompanied by Rep.Tashi, Choege Tsering Dhondup and the troupe leaders Ms.Julia Jironkina and IgorYanchoglov left for Elista on July 7, 2005.

Upon arriving at the Elista airport the Tibetan delegation members were cordially received by the Senior Advisor to Kalmyk President, representatives of Kalmyk buddhst temple, Kalmyk TSG President Mrs.Kookueva Antonina and the group of Kalmyk Students for a Free Tibet. The local TV, radio and press media have covered the news on the arrival of the delegation.

The Festival was started on July 8 at the republican concert hall at 1600 hrs. The function started with prayers by Gyudme monks for the long life of His Holiness. Representative Tashi gave his speech emphasizing the importance of strengthning brotherly relationship between the peoples of Tibet and Kalmykia whose cultures are mainly based on Tibetan buddhism. He also briefly outlined the degree of cultural cooperation reached between the two peoples for the last about fourteen years. He thanked the President of Kalmykia for his enthusiasm and support for the Tibetan people. Mr.Koruev Erdiny, the Senior Advisor to the President conveyed the President’s greeting message to the Festival participants. Mrs.Kookueva Antonina and the Abbot of Kalmyk Buddhist temple also expressed their greetings and urged the need to save the Tibetan culture which being equally shared by the people of Kalmykia.

Tibetan artists from Kalimpong Gangjong Doegar and Mr.Loten Namling, a Tibetan singer from Switzerland performed traditional Tibetan songs, dances, opera, yak and lion dances.

On July 9 Gyudme monks started making Chenrezig sand mandala, Tibetan artists and Kalmyk singers jointly performed cultural shows in the open air. Gyudme monks performed rituals in the morning and in the evening on daily basis. Choege Tsering Dhondup gave series of lectures on buddhist philosophy in the morning and Tibetan films were shown everyday in the evening.

On July 10 evening during the public initiation of Droljang Wang by Gyudme monks Kalmyk President and Representative Tashi once again urged the people to preserve Tibetan buddhist culture which is shared by the people of Tibet, Mongolia, Buriatya, Tuva and Kalmykia. The President also said the people of Kalmykia pray for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai lama who is the spiritual leader of Kalmykia and also for the sooner reunion of the Tibetan people in their mother land Tibet who are being suffered under the Chinese occupation.

Representative Tashi gave series of interviews on TV, radio and also to the press medias to high light Tibetan issues and Tibetan culture. He also met with some of the local parliament members and also with the staff members of around fifty people working in the Kalmyk national library and gave talk on the life achievement of His Holiness.

As a gesture of friendship Rep.Tashi met the Kalmyk Orthodox head Vladiko Zosima and greeted him on his 55th birthday. Vladiko Zosimo has visited two times to Dharamsala for the audience of His Holiness.

The Gyudme monks and other Tibetan religious teachers working in Kalmykia have also performed rituals and prayers in front of the so called “White House” the main official building where the offices of the President, Prime Minister as well as other Ministries and parliament are located where a big Prayer Wheel is to be installed in the near future. During the prayer function official representatives from republic government, city mayor’s office, Rep.Tashi, TSG Chairman and Abbot of Buddhist temple gave their short speeches.

On July 16 at 1300 hrs.the nine day Tibet festival was concluded with a closing ceremony function. The concert hall was fully packed with public. Rep.Tashi, President’s Senior Advisor Mr.Koruev Erdni, Kalmyk TSG Chairman and Abbot of buddhist temple thanked all the participants and the hosts for the successfully organised festival. Chenrezig sand mandala was dismantled and portion of it was thrown into the near by river for ecological purification and the remaining were distributed amongst the public.

On July 6 the Kalmyk buddhist temple in collaboration with TSG celebrated the 70th birthday of His Holiness with mass public participation. Long life prayers for His Holiness was performed in all the buddhist temples in the republic. Concerts with traditional dances and songs were organised for the public which lasted till late in the night. Birthday cakes and refreshments were distributed for the mass public.

At the official invitation from Tuva republic government the Gyudme tantric monks will leave for Kyzyl in Tuva on July 20 in connection with the celebration of His Holiness 70th birthday which will continue till first week of August 2005. Rep.Tashi will leave for Tuva at the end of July to take part in festival’s conclusion part.

Tuva: On July 6, 2005 the 70th birthday of His Holiness was observed in most of the towns and villages in Tuva. The main celebration was held in Kyzyl national stadium with the participation of thousands of people. The Chairman of Tuva government Mr.Sherig Ool Orjak greeted all his country fellows in connection with the celebration. Sports competition and traditional dances with mass participation was organised. A one hundred Kg.birthday cake in honour of His Holiness was distributed to the public.

Buriatya: On July 6, 2005 long life prayers for His Holiness was performed in many Buddhist temples in Buriatya. A seminar on the life of His Holiness and the contemporary world was organised in the National library of Ulan Ude with the participation from educationists, philosophers, social activists and buddhists.

The birthday celebration was concluded on the day with a concert show of traditional dances and songs by the artists of Buriatya.

Visiting the opening of a month-long photo exhibition in Taipei on the occasion of the 70th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama yesterday, President Chen Shui-bian expressed his hope that His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who he called “the world’s greatest religious leader”, will grant a third visit to Taiwan to bless his faithful with his wisdom and cheerful presence.

Organised by the Office of Tibet, Taiwan, the exhibition entitled “Traveling with Love and Wisdom for Seventy Years” featured rare pictures and documents related to His Holiness in addition to showcasing Tibetan religion and culture.

Presiden Chen and a battery of dignitaries present at the exhibition”including Mr.Wang Jin-Pyng, president of Legislative Yuan, Dr. Jaushie Joseph Wu , director of Mainland China Affairs Council, Mrs. Fan, Su-Lu, Deputy Minister of Education”also watched the video message of His Holiness on his 70th birthday.

Freeing the lives of 500 birds and over 1000 fishes set off the celebration of His Holiness’ 70 birthday in Delhi on 6 July.

Hundreds of Tibetans gathered in a grand ceremony at the Central School for Tibetans, Majnukatilla, organised jointly by the Tibetan Welfare Office, Rangden Tsokchung and the Tibetan Women’s Association.

The representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New Delhi, Tashi Wangdi, was the chief guest of the ceremony. Mass prayers and cultural shows enlivened the celebration.