Commemoration of the Tibetan Day of Democracy

The Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein (TCSL) organized a commemoration ceremony in Rikon on Saturday, September 8, 2018, on the occasion of the 58th anniversary of the Tibetan Democracy Day.

The commemoration ceremony was opened in the Engelberg High School by the guests of honour, who brought in the portrait of  His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and where offerings were given. The opening ceremony was musically accompanied by the TCSL Tibetan Folklore Ensemble. They led the Tibetan national anthem and  the memorial song to the Tibetan Day of Democracy. Afterwards, one minute of silence commemorated the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of  Tibet. Afterwards, a prayer ceremony took place, which was led by the monastic community of the Tibet Institute Rikon. The opening ceremony was rounded off with a Tashi Sholpa dance performance by the TCSL Tibetan Folklore Ensemble.

It followed with speeches from Norbu Tsamda, TCSL President,  Dawa Tsultrim, Deputy Representative of the Tibet Office, Ven. Geshe Thupten Legmen, Abbot of the Tibet Institute Rikon, and Samdho Jampa, a member of the Tibetan exile parliament. Thereafter, the TCSL Working Committee, as well as representatives of the Tibetan Youth in Europe Association, the Tibetan Women's Organization  in Switzerland and the Swiss-Tibetan Friendship Society reported on their association's activities of the past year.

The commemoration ceremony was supplemented with Tibetan dance and singing performances. The TCSL Tibetan Folklore Ensemble performed two traditional dances. In addition, representatives of the three regions of  Tibet,  U-tsang,  Kham and Amdo, each performed dance and singing performances.

After dinner, the Q & A session was opened with Venerable Geshe Thupten Legmen, Samdho Jampa, Dawa Tsultrim, NorbuTsamda, Phuntsok Chokchampa and members of TCSL's Working Committee. Unlike in the past, this year's Q & A took place in the evening. Thus,  very active participation of the visitor's could be achieved. The commemoration of the Tibetan Day of Democracy was concluded with Tibetan Gorshey, by Topden Nelung.