The Office of Tibet, Brussels, hosted its official annual reception to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 89th birthday in Brussels on 10 July. The event was organised on the 10th instead of the actual birthday of His Holiness in due consideration of the calendar of the European Parliament.
The Office of Tibet, Brussels, was honoured by the presence of Members of European Parliament (MEPs), Federal Parliament, Deputy Managing Director of the European External Action Service, diplomatic corps from the US, Latvia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, India and the Deputy Ambassador of Taiwan, EU civil servants, President of the Belgium Buddhist Union, many Assistants representing their MEPs, representatives of civil society and Tibetan Buddhist centres, Think Tanks along with other distinguished guests.
Organised at the prestigious Solvay Library, a stone’s throw from the European Parliament, the guests were treated to a simple but dignified decoration with a welcoming traditional ambience.
After the invocation by Metok Rinpoche and Geshe Tseten, Representative Rigzin Genkhang welcomed the guests and expressed her gratitude for their presence and continued support to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people. She then briefly outlined His Holiness’ contribution to world peace, religious harmony, the environment, human rights and other major global issues. Representative also recalled His Holiness’ admiration for the European Union and his long association with the European Parliament since 1988.
Representative Genkhang also discussed the grave situation in Tibet and credited His Holiness’ steadfast commitment to nonviolence and his unquestionable moral authority over his people living both in and outside Tibet as the sole reason why the Tibetan freedom struggle has remained nonviolent.
The formal function was followed by a classical Nangma performance by the Netherlands-based Tibetan artist Namgyal Lhamo, which created a festive atmosphere.
The reception was marked by engaging conversations, delightful refreshments and a shared admiration for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his contributions.
Representatives of the Tibetan associations and two-weekend schools based in Belgium also attended. The event concluded with guests getting their names or any other words of their choice calligraphed in Tibetan.
