Brussels, 03 March: The Office of Tibet Brussels and the municipality of Bastogne are co-organising a week-long exhibition titled “A Life For Peace: His Holiness the Dalai Lama- 90 Years of Wisdom and Compassion” featuring 47 panels portraying the life and legacy of His Holiness in the town hall of Bastogne in Wallonia in southern Belgium. While the event is a local initiative, it ties into the global observance of the Year of Compassion in honour of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday.
The exhibition pays tribute to the exceptional journey of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a universally recognised spiritual and moral figure who has dedicated his entire life to promoting compassion, peace and non-violence. Through a series of carefully curated photographs, this exhibition retraces the major stages of his life: from his childhood in Tibet to his exile in India, from his advocacy for human dignity to becoming an emblematic figure of wisdom on the world stage. Particular attention is given to His Holiness’ decades-long commitment to peace, fundamental human values, harmony among the world’s religious traditions, and peaceful coexistence, values that earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 and the admiration of millions across cultures and beliefs.
Representative Rigzin Genkhang extends her deepest gratitude to Mr Benoît Lutgen, incumbent Mayor of Bastogne and former Minister of the Federal government of Belgium, and the college for voting favourably to her request during their meeting in July last year to host the exhibition.
The exhibition will remain on display until Tuesday, 10 March, providing an opportunity for the visitors not just to admire compassion, but to live it in their daily lives, in their community, and beyond.
At first glance, Tibet and Bastogne may appear worlds apart, one a vast Himalayan plateau often called the “Roof of the World,” the other a historic town in the Ardennes region of Belgium. Yet beyond geography and culture, they share one thing in common: resilience in the face of adversity.
Tibet’s modern history has been marked by political upheaval, exile, and the tireless efforts of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to advocate for his people through non-violence and compassion. The Tibetan people’s commitment to preserving in exile what is being destroyed in their homeland has become a powerful symbol of resilience.
Bastogne, meanwhile, holds a central place in European history as a key site of the Battle of the Bulge during the winter of 1944–45. Surrounded and heavily bombarded, the town became a symbol of steadfast courage and resistance. Its reconstruction after the devastation of war stands today as a testament to perseverance and renewal.
Both Tibet and Bastogne therefore embody communities shaped by hardship. Each represents a story of survival.
