Brussels, 20 April: The Office of Tibet Brussels and Lungta, a Tibet Support Group, jointly organised a two-day exhibition and interactive workshop highlighting the life and teachings of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama through a curated pictorial exhibition as part of the global observance of the Year of Compassion at Saint-Joseph church in the city of Ghent.

The highlight of the event was a workshop where visitors from across Belgium were invited to create Tibetan prayer flags (lungta), offering a space for reflection, creativity and community engagement.

The exhibition attracted a diverse audience, including residents of Ghent and visitors from coastal cities such as Ostende and Knokke. Members of the Tibetan community living in Ghent also attended in significant numbers, using the occasion to recollect His Holiness’ enduring values of compassion, peace, and nonviolence.

The participation of students from the Ghent branch of Jamyang Lophel School was a rewarding aspect for the organisers. Accompanied by their parents and teachers, the students explored the exhibition with great interest and engaged in hands-on activities such as colouring posters featuring powerful and meaningful messages inspired by compassion and peace.

Tenzin Phuntsok, EU Advocacy Officer representing the Office of Tibet, engaged with the students and visitors during the event. He emphasised the importance of living a meaningful and purposeful life, drawing on the teachings of His Holiness as illustrated through these photo exhibitions. He also explained why the Central Tibetan Administration has designated the year from 6 July 2025 to 5 July 2026 as the “Year of Compassion,” encouraging young participants to be compassionate in their daily lives.

In addition, EU Advocacy Officer Phuntsok spoke with foreign attendees about the current situation inside Tibet and shared ways in which individuals can support the Tibetan cause through the Middle Way Approach, which advocates for peaceful resolution of the Sino-Tibet conflict through dialogue.

The event was supported by members of V-TAG and SFT, who volunteered to assist with organizing and facilitating activities throughout the two-day event. Antwerpen resident Sontse and his friend Eric also contributed to the event through their Tibetan calligraphy skills on day one.

The exhibition created an atmosphere of peace and tranquility in Ghent, with many visitors expressing appreciation for the initiative. At a time when global conflicts continue to create uncertainty, the event served as a reminder of the enduring relevance of His Holiness’ message of compassion, love, and non-violence.

Visitors not only gained insight into the life and legacy of the 14th Dalai Lama through the powerful photo displays but also left with their own handmade prayer flags—symbols of hope and inspiration to carry into their daily lives.

The Office of Tibet Brussels extended its gratitude to Han and Liesbeth from Lungta and their team for their continued support over many years and for organising such a meaningful event during the Year of Compassion.