Secretary Thinley Wangdue addresses the gathering during the Mother’s Day celebration hosted by Sherab Nangjey Weekend School in Antwerp, Belgium, on 10 May 2025.

Antwerp, Belgium: Under the bright and sunny sky at North Park, a beautiful meadow in Antwerp, the Sherab Nangjey Weekend School of the Belgium Tibetan Community hosted a joyful and meaningful Mother’s Day celebration, themed “Love and Kindness.” The event served both as a tribute to mothers and a fundraising initiative in support of the school’s cultural and educational efforts.

The celebration drew a large gathering of schoolchildren, teachers, staff, parents, and members of the Tibetan community. It was honoured by the presence of Chief Guest Thinley Wangdue, Secretary of the Office of Tibet, Brussels, along with respected guests Metok Rinpoche from the Himalayan Dolma Buddhist Centre, Geshe Tseten Phuntsok from Shedrub Tengye Ling Buddhist Centre, and other Tibetan community leaders.

In his opening address, School Director Sonam Tsering highlighted the significance of organising the Mother’s Day event, focusing on its aims to honour motherhood, strengthen family values, and promote the preservation of Tibetan language and culture among younger generations.

Secretary Thinley Wangdue, in his keynote speech, commended the school’s teachers, parents, students, and staff for their collective commitment to sustaining the rich Tibetan language, culture, and identity in exile. He emphasised the invaluable role of mothers and recalled the frequent teachings of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who has often said that his earliest lessons in compassion and kindness came from his late mother, Dekyi Tsering. He urged the community to carry forward these values with pride and unity. During the event, Secretary Thinley also briefly introduced Dhundup Gyalpo, the newly appointed Tibetan Liaison Officer to Europe, who will outreach to and oversee the Tibetan communities under the umbrella of the three representative offices in Europe.

Following the formal program, schoolchildren performed various cultural presentations, showcasing the rich Tibetan music and dance. A highlight of the event was a touching poem recitation by Tenzin Metok, who beautifully expressed gratitude and admiration for mothers through her heartfelt words, adding a deeply emotional and artistic dimension to the celebration. The celebration concluded with a lively and joyful Gorshey (traditional Tibetan circle dance), with active participation from the public.

Secretary Thinley was accompanied by Tibetan Liaison Office Dhundup Gyalpo, EU Advocacy Officer Tenzin Phuntsok, and Accountant Tenzin Nordhen. The team provided important community services by collecting Green Book contribution dues, distributing completed Green Books, and assisting with Green Book validity extensions.

Gathering applications for new or modified Green Books The event successfully combined cultural preservation, public service, and heartfelt appreciation for mothers. It was a proud and joyful occasion for the Tibetan community in Belgium.

– Report filed by Bureau du Tibet, Brussels