Brussels, 11 July 2022: Belgium based Tibetan Association of Chushi Gangdruk celebrated the 87th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Antwerpen, where majority of the Tibetans are based.
The program started with Metok Rinpoche and Geshe Tseten reciting a short prayer and offering of scarf to the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The outgoing President of Chushi Gangdruk welcomed the guests gathered to celebrate the joyous occasion and called on everyone to heed to the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Rigzin Genkhang, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the EU & Western Europe, attended the celebration as the chief guest. In her address to the gathering, she reminded them of His Holiness’ invaluable contribution towards our country, people and the world at large. She called on the fellow Tibetans to use the occasion to rededicate oneself to the advice and vision of His Holiness.
Representative Genkhang also urged the public to participate actively in the soon to be conducted demographic survey of the Tibetans in exile. She further requested the youths to attend the V-TAG meeting scheduled to take place on 16 July in Schoten in Antwerpen.
Venerable Tenpa Yarphel, Member of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile (TPiE), who was visiting Belgium in his personal capacity also attended the celebration. In his brief remark, he urged the fellow Tibetans in Belgium to work towards the preservation of the Tibetan language and culture.
The incoming President of Chushi Gangdruk thanked his predecessors for their dedication and vowed to work as per the guidelines of the Central Tibetan Administration.
Representatives of the Tibetan Community and all other associations were also in attendance. The official program was followed by cultural performances.
On 13 July, the Office of Tibet, Brussels, will host its official reception at a landmark venue. Representative Genkhang said invitations had been sent to Belgian government officials, Belgian and EU lawmakers, diplomatic missions, EU officials, local Tibet Support Groups and Tibetan Buddhist centers and leaders of the Tibetan Community.
“This year, a number of very important dignitaries are expected to attend the celebrations,” said Representative Genkhang.
