London, 6 September 2025: The Tibetan Community in Britain gathered at Stratford Town Hall on Saturday to celebrate the 65th Tibetan Democracy Day, a milestone that pays tribute to the democratic system gifted by His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama to the Tibetan people in exile.

Representative Tsering Yangkey attended as Chief Guest, joining Rev. Lelung Tulku Rinpoche, Ven. Phara Khenchen Tulku Rinpoche, Ven. Shakhor Khentul Rinpoche, and monks from the Lelung Dharma Centre. The celebration also coincided with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Tibetan Community in Britain (TCB), an occasion for the council to present its work and finances to its members in the spirit of transparency and accountability.

Originally, the event was planned to feature Ven. Professor Trisur Samdhong Rinpoche, but his visit was cancelled due to health reasons. In response, the organisers — TCB and Lelung Dharma Centre — reshaped the day into a powerful community prayer gathering. Led by Rev. Lelung Tulku Rinpoche and the assembled monastic sangha, the gathering recited prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and for Trisur Samdhong Rinpoche’s swift recovery. The two-hour session set a deeply spiritual tone, filling the hall with warmth and unity before the official Democracy Day programme began.

The Tibetan cultural group marked the ceremony with the singing of Mantso Sar-Shay (the Tibetan Democracy Song).

In his welcome address, TCB’s General Secretary highlighted a key responsibility of Tibetans in exile: ensuring the transmission of Tibetan language and culture to younger generations. With China’s increasing efforts to erase Tibet’s unique identity inside Tibet, he urged parents in the diaspora to redouble their commitment to teaching their children Tibetan language and values.

Echoing these concerns, Representative Tsering Yangkey stressed the urgency of speaking Tibetan within the community and nurturing pride in Tibetan identity. She congratulated Tibetans worldwide on the 65th anniversary of Democracy Day and gave an overview of how Tibetan democracy has evolved in exile. Expressing deep gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, she reminded the community that enjoying the fruits of democracy comes with the responsibility of actively participating in it — “two sides of the same coin,” as she put it.

Representative Tsering Yangkey also called on Tibetans to contribute to the Green Book voluntary fund, which supports the functioning of the Central Tibetan Administration, and reminded everyone of the upcoming Tenshug (Long Life Offering) for His Holiness from Tibetans in Europe on 8 October, urging support and donations for this collective endeavour.

In his address, Rev. Lelung Tulku Rinpoche assured everyone about Kyabje Khenwang Trisur Samdhong Rinpoche’s visit to the UK in the near future, expressed deep gratitude to His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama for his continued guidance and urged Tibetans to cherish their language and identity, encouraging them to keep it alive through daily practice and use in their lives.

Phuntsok, Chairperson of the Tibetan Community in Britain, then convened the first Annual General Meeting (AGM) of their council (2024-26 term). Phuntsok began by summarising the community’s activities since taking over last November. He commended the team work of the entire council and urged the members for their continued support. TCB council members presented their reports, engaged in lively discussion with community members, and addressed questions, including on accounts, with openness and transparency.

The community expressed heartfelt gratitude for the council’s dedication and voluntary service.

The evening closed on a joyful note, as Tibetans of all ages joined hands in the traditional circle dance, bringing the day’s reflections and responsibilities to an uplifting and happy end.

-Report filed by Office of Tibet, London