Paris, 23 September 2025: The French Parliamentary Friends of Tibet and the Bureau du Tibet Paris hosted a special celebration at the French Senate on Tuesday to honour the 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and mark the Year of Compassion.

The celebration at the René Coty Hall in the French Senate was an extraordinary and meaningful event that brought together distinguished guests, including Senators, Ambassadors and diplomats, government officials, local elected officials, members of the media, representatives of Tibet Supports Groups and Buddhist Centres, a Tibetan delegation led by Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Rigzin Genkhang, Coordinator Thupten Tsering and Secretary Jigme Dorji of the Bureau du Tibet Paris, joined by Tibetan Community leaders, members of Tibetan Advocacy Groups such as Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Students for a Free Tibet and V-TAG. Thierry Munier, Secretary of the Parliamentary Friends of Tibet, Marina De Lapgnolle and Virginie Muneret, Assistants to Senator Eustache-Brinio, were also in attendance. The occasion was marked by a deep sense of reverence and shared admiration for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s wisdom, leadership and compassionate spirit.

The event began with an opening address by Jacqueline Eustache-Brinio, President of the Parliamentary Friends of Tibet, warmly welcoming the guests. The President conveyed her warm wishes and deep respect for His Holiness, whom she had the privilege of meeting a number of times. She also acknowledged the presence of an exceptionally high number of Senators from across political groups despite the Senate not being in session, reflecting the event’s considerable significance.

Representative Rigzin Genkhang opened by commending the Senate’s dedicated efforts in hosting this landmark celebration. She expressed deep gratitude for His Holiness’ enduring role as a symbol of hope and resilience for Tibetans worldwide. Emphasizing the timeless relevance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s message of compassion and harmony, she noted how it carries urgency amid an era fraught with conflict and turmoil. Highlighting his extraordinary contributions to global peace, human rights, and the Tibetan cause, Representative Genkhang briefly touched upon the pressing situation in Tibet, all while setting an uplifting tone for the evening’s proceedings.

This was followed by a life-long prayer and sacred chant by a group of Gyuto Monks, whose resonant voices filled the hall. Their deep, harmonic chants added an ethereal dimension to the ceremony. The monks’ prayers, invoking continued health and longevity for His Holiness, created a profound spiritual atmosphere, allowing attendees to reflect on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings and the spiritual impact he continues to have on millions of lives around the world.

A poignant moment of the celebration was the screening of a short film about His Holiness titled “Living Together”, where he talks about the need for universal responsibility, for the whole of humanity to learn to live happily together.

Following the screening, the celebration featured a series of traditional Tibetan cultural performances by Tibetan artists dressed in colorful, intricate costumes that showcased the rich cultural heritage of Tibet. The performances brought a sense of joy and festivity to the evening and served as a tribute to His Holiness’s lifelong efforts to promote and preserve Tibetan culture.

The celebration continued with a festive atmosphere, where guests enjoyed a traditional Tibetan and French feast, offering attendees a taste of culinary traditions of both worlds. The warm, joyful atmosphere allowed guests to reflect on the significance of the evening while enjoying the conversations.

The evening concluded on a note of collective gratitude and reflection, a testament to the power of His Holiness to inspire change and bring about greater understanding and compassion in the world, further solidifying his legacy as a true spiritual leader for the world.