Berlin: On 25 June 2025 (CEST), the last day of his official visit to Berlin, Sikyong Penpa Tsering engaged in a series of high-level advocacy and media engagements that underscored the growing international attention on the Tibetan cause, particularly in light of the upcoming 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
The day commenced with an interview with Benedikt Voigt of Tagesspiegel at the office of Tibet Initiative Deutschland, followed by a virtual interview with Natalie Mayroth of TAZ. Both journalists focused their inquiries on the subject of reincarnation and the broader significance of His Holiness’s 90th birthday. In response, Sikyong elaborated on the upcoming global religious conference scheduled to be held from 2 – 4 July 2025 and highlighted the importance of this milestone birthday. He further underscored the enduring relevance of the Four Principal Commitments of His Holiness, which will serve as the foundation for the various international events being organised to commemorate the occasion.
The main highlight of the day was Sikyong’s meeting with high-ranking officials from the German Federal Foreign Office. Unlike previous meetings in Germany, this engagement marked a significan diplomatic milestone, and Sikyong took this strategic opportunity to present concrete ways in which the German government could support the Tibetan people and their non-violent struggle. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with renewed hope for greater support and engagement from the German government.
Following the diplomatic engagement, Sikyong gave two additional interviews; one with ZDF Television and another with Till Fahnders of FAZ.
With the conclusion of his Berlin engagements, Sikyong has now departed for India. Though brief, Sikyong’s visit to Berlin this time was marked by intensive advocacy efforts, strategic high-level meetings, and wide media coverage. The engagements concluded with a strengthened sense of optimism that key stakeholders within the German government would offer renewed and tangible support to the Tibetan cause in the near future.
