Belgium: Choerig Zinkyong’s Jamyang Lophel Sunday school in Belgium organised a week-long cultural workshop for Tibetan youth as part of its summer camp curriculum at Dharma City in Florennes.

The workshop was held from 17 July to 23 July 2024.

This year, over 135 students participated in the workshop program, including 31 students from five different Tibetan language and cultural schools in France, two students from Sweden, and two from the Netherlands, as well as 100 students from six different schools that are part of Choerig Zinkyong School.

Before the Parents’ Day celebration, Secretary Thinley Wangdue from the Office of Tibet in Belgium introduced the Central Tibetan Administration to the summer camp students. Subsequently, the students participated in a question-and-answer session.

Later in the afternoon, the Parents’ Day celebration commenced in the presence of chief guest Secretary Thinley Wangdue from the Office of Tibet, Belgium. The program was also attended by two special guests, Dzogchen Ranyak Patrul Rinpoche and Metok Rinpoche.

During the celebration, Chorig Zinkyong School Director Jigme addressed gathering about aims and objectives of the summer camp cultural workshops, that was held for 13 times till now, and presented a brief report of each workshop. He expressed his sincere appreciation to Dzogchen Ranyak Patrul Rinpoche for the consistent support in arranging accommodations, the venue, and other necessary facilities for the program.

Special guest, Dzogchen Ranyak Patrul Rinpoche, underscored the significance of Tibetan religion and culture and guided how to transmit these values to the younger Tibetan generation. Rinpoche also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the program.

The Chief guest, Secretary Thinley Wangdue from Belgium’s Office of Tibet, underscored the program’s core objective of inheriting and transmitting Tibetan religious, cultural, and traditional ethical values to the younger generation through such initiatives during his address.

Apart from that, the school administration expressed its appreciation and presented certificates to several older students in the summer camp cohort for their voluntary involvement in program activities and for assuming responsibility for organising the program.

After the celebratory event, students presented a sequence of traditional performances, including a cultural dance, a recitation of a poem, and ending with a Tibetan circle dance.