Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Sept. 12: The first-ever Tibetan Youth Festival, held as part of the Global Youth Tenshug, is underway at Upper TCV, Dharamshala, and will run until September 13. The three-day gathering has drawn young Tibetans from around the world under the theme Damtsik – Pledge, Drelam – Dialogue, Gahzom – Gathering and Celebration, to foster dialogue, unity, and the preservation of Tibetan culture.
The festival features a range of panel discussions, including Modern Tibetanness in Action, Tibetan History: Traditional and New Approaches, Tibetans from Tibet: Navigating Parallel Tibetan Universes, and Tibetan Language Education in India and Beyond, along with interactive cultural workshops on calligraphy, architecture, and debate; open mic sessions; and a book discussion on His Holiness’ latest work Voice for the Voiceless for participants.
Speaking to Phayul, Jamyang Phuntsok from the festival’s organising committee said the Tibetan Youth Festival was born from the idea of offering His Holiness the Dalai Lama a Youth Tenshug on his 90th birthday. “What began as a simple long-life prayer expanded into a three-day festival to make the most of a rare global youth gathering. Built around the themes Thamtsik (Pledge), Drelam (Dialogue), and Ghazom (Celebration), the festival seeks to strengthen bonds with His Holiness, foster dialogue among Tibetan youth, and celebrate culture and identity,” he said.
Phuntsok emphasized that, beyond the events, the festival seeks to create a space for Tibetans from diverse backgrounds—whether from Tibet, exile communities, or the West—to connect, engage in debate, and broaden their understanding of what it means to be Tibetan.
Jigme Namgyal, a participant from Washington, D.C., told Phayul that he joined the Tibetan Youth Festival to be part of something “meaningful and historic.” “Following the first-ever Youth Tenshug for His Holiness, the festival has brought together hundreds of young Tibetans from India and abroad to engage in discussions on literature, arts, history, and identity,” he said.
Reflecting on the challenges facing Tibetans in the diaspora, he pointed to the struggle of preserving language and culture, particularly in the West. “Growing up in America, it’s easy to lose your Tibetan identity when everything around you is in English. That’s why I made it a priority to complete Tibetan school in D.C., hoping it sets an example for others,” he explained.
He also stressed the importance of how cultural values are passed down across generations. He noted that the elder generation genuinely wants us to speak Tibetan, but their approach can feel overly critical. Many youths end up feeling shamed rather than encouraged, which only discourages them from learning. What we need is constructive, positive feedback that inspires rather than alienates. The intention is good, but the method has to evolve with the times.
Tenzin Dedhen from Shillong said she was inspired to join the first-ever Tibetan Youth Festival after the historic long-life prayer for His Holiness. “This festival offers us a platform to connect, exchange ideas on Tibet, and celebrate our culture,” she shared, highlighting the blend of entrepreneurial stalls, cultural workshops, and thought-provoking panels.
She noted that such gatherings not only amplify youth voices but also nurture future leadership. “Through dialogues and feedback sessions, we reflect, learn, and grow together. Events like this can spark something powerful in our generation,” she said.
Speaking on the challenges facing Tibetan youth, Dedhen pointed to the reality of a scattered diaspora. “Being spread across the globe gives us diverse perspectives, but it also makes unity harder. Festivals like this help bridge that gap and strengthen our community.”
