Vienna: On Tuesday, 12 November 2024, V-TAG Austria, in collaboration with Save Tibet Austria, organised the premiere of the new documentary film Wisdom of Happiness directed by Philip Delaquis and Barbara Miller, and produced by Richard Gere, at the renowned Votiv Kino in Vienna, Austria. Co-director Philip Delaquis participated in a panel discussion about the film, alongside Gerhard Weissgrab, President of the Austrian Buddhist Union, and Madeleine Petrovic, politician and Chairwoman of Save Tibet Austria. All panelists had previously met His Holiness. The event was a great success, with a sold-out cinema hall for the premiere and marking V-TAG Austria’s introduction to the Austrian public.

The event began at 7:30 PM with a warm welcome from V-TAG member Marianne Tseten Dölma Trinley, who introduced Co-director Philip Delaquis, who gave an introduction to the film’s making and inspirations. The screening began at 8:00 PM.

Following the film, Marianne Tseten Dölma Trinley moderated the panel discussion, with the central question being the relevance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message for a world shaped by violence and war. The panelists offered insightful comments from their diverse backgrounds—religious, political, and creative. They shared their thoughts on how His Holiness’ message could shape the present and future, reaffirming the importance of peace, especially in today’s world.

At around 10:00 PM, the panel discussion concluded. Afterwards, the V-TAG Austria Coordinator and the Head of the Tibetan Community Austria presented kathaks to the guests as a token of gratitude for their contributions to the Tibet movement. A short photo session followed and then all attendees and guests were invited for casual conversations and further questions for the filmmaker or the panel guests.

-Report filed by Tibet Advocacy Section, DIIR, CTA