By Tenzin Samphel Kayta
The Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein celebrated the 43rd anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day on Saturday, 30th August at Rikon near Zurich. Over 600 Tibetans were present on this occasion..
The celebrations began at 15:00 hours with the traditional offering of scarf to the photograph of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and offering of prayers led by the monks of Tibet Institute Rikon, and the Swiss Tibetan Folklore Association members singing of Tibetan National anthem and an auspicious group song.
Among the speakers were Mr. Tsering Dorjee, Member of the Tibetan People’s Deputies in Europe, Chhime R. Chhoekyapa, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mr. Jampa T. Samdho, President of Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and representatives of various Tibetan organisations in Switzerland. Mr. Tsering Dorjee, MP also read out the message from Mr. Pema Jungney, Chairperson of the Tibetan Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies.
In addition to stressing the significance of the Day, speakers of various organisations also presented their annual reports and their future plans.
The guests included Mr. Namgyal Dorjee Teykhang, Chairperson of the Central Tibetan Election Commission and Central Tibetan Public Service Commission and his wife, Mrs. Dolma Tsering, a member of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile (ATPD). They are currently visiting family members in Switzerland.
Tibetan organisations, including Cholka-sum (three provinces of Tibet) presented cultural performances. This was followed with an hour-long performance by members of the Swiss Tibetan Folklore Association.
The performances were also well appreciated by the audience, especially, thanks to Mr. Tashi Dhargyal from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) Dharamsala. He was expressly invited to train the members of the Swiss Tibetan Folklore Association. The three-month training has had a good impact: the performances were of high quality and standard. In fact, for the first this year the young members of the Swiss Tibetan Folklore Association gave a brief presentation from the Tibetan Opera, Sukyi Nyima as well.
To add more significance to the Democracy Day, individuals from among the public not only offered their ideas and suggestions but one or two also gave vent to their feelings, including on how Tibetans could be more active in pursuing our aspirations.
The celebrations lasted well into the late night with Mr. Tsering Topden Nelung, leading the popular Gorshe (circle dance) with both young and old, participating in the joyous celebrations.
