PARIS: The annual Festival of Tibet and the Peoples of Himalaya held in Paris from 15-16 June attracted thousands of visitors.
The monks from Sera Mey monastery blessed the opening day of the 13th edition of the festival held at the Bois de Vincennes Park. Tibetan officials present at the ceremony include Venerable Thupten Wangchen, Member of Tibetan Parliament in exile (Europe), Mr Ngodup Dorjee, Representative of Bureau du Tibet, Brussels, and Mr Thupten Gyatso, president of the Tibetan community in France.
Thousands of people visited various stalls showcasing traditional Tibetan and Himalayan handicrafts, souvenirs and cuisines. The festival gave the visitors an opportunity to learn and discuss, enjoy and shop and witness various colors of Tibetan and Himalayan culture, the organisers said.
Visitors also took part in the panel discussions and talk series. The speakers invited for the panel discussions were, Ven Thupten Wangchen, member of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Mr Ngodup Dorjee, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s representative in France, French Senator Andre Gattolin, Mr Jean Marc Brul, President of Green Lotus and Regional Advisor of Ile-de-France, Ms Katia Buffetrille, a Tibetologist, Mr Moussa Talbi, specialist in cultural heritage and international law, Mr Tenzin Norbu, head of the Environment Desk of the Central Tibetan Administration, and Dr Tsering Tsamchoe of Tibetan Medical & Astro Institute.
The festival was aimed at creating awareness about the rich cultures of Tibet and Himalayan regions among the people of France. It is also part of an effort to preserve the unique cultural heritage through presentation of traditional songs and dances, religious teachings, poem recitations, panel discussions, languages and arts displays, handicrafts, movie screenings and cuisines.
