Switzerland: A delegation from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) visited a Tibetan cultural artefacts museum in Basel, Switzerland on 27 May 2026 following the conclusion of its cultural performance tour in Berlin, Germany.

The delegation arrived in Switzerland on 26 May and was welcomed by representatives of the Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, including community leaders and cultural organisers. The following day, under arrangements made by the Tibetan Community and local Basel organisers, the artists visited a museum dedicated to Tibetan cultural heritage, established by Swiss collector and Tibet enthusiast Christian Lutz.

Lutz has spent more than 45 years collecting, preserving, and documenting Tibetan antiquities. During the visit, he provided an overview of the museum’s history, the process of acquiring and conserving the collection, and the institution’s mission to safeguard Tibetan cultural heritage. Visitors were also shown a short documentary highlighting the museum’s work.

Addressing the gathering, TIPA’s director outlined the objectives of the institute’s ongoing cultural tour across five European countries under the jurisdiction of the Office of Tibet in Switzerland. He also introduced the history and mission of TIPA, emphasizing its role in preserving and promoting Tibetan performing arts and cultural traditions.

The director expressed appreciation for Lutz’s longstanding dedication to Tibetan culture. He noted that, through personal initiative and deep interest, Lutz had spent decades collecting and preserving valuable Tibetan artifacts, thereby creating an important repository of Tibetan heritage outside Tibet.

As a gesture of gratitude and recognition, TIPA presented Lutz with a traditional ceremonial khatak and a commemorative gift. In return, TIPA artists performed several traditional Tibetan songs and cultural pieces at the museum, offering a symbolic cultural tribute.

Lutz expressed his appreciation for the performances and conveyed his support for TIPA’s future initiatives. He stated that he would give favorable consideration to potential opportunities for collaboration and assistance when future projects are presented.

Following the museum visit, the Basel Tibetan community hosted a dinner reception for the delegation.

Christian Lutz is recognised as one of the earliest Western visitors to Tibet and has long maintained a strong interest in Tibetan history and culture. His museum houses an extensive collection of Tibetan artifacts gathered from around the world, including sacred tsa-tsa clay votive objects, religious statues and ritual items, thangka paintings, and traditional ornaments and clothing representing Tibet’s agricultural, nomadic, and artisan communities.

Lutz has also previously traveled to Dharamshala, India, where he presented his Tibetan cultural preservation initiatives and was granted a private audience with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

-Report filed by Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts