On the invitation of the Mayor and former MP Lionnel Luca, Representative Rigzin Genkhang of the Office of Tibet, Brussels, travelled to Villeneuve-Loubet, a coastal town in the French Riviera, to participate in the 10th anniversary of the “Day for a free Tibet”. The event was created in 2014 by the current Mayor aimed to celebrate, promote and preserve Tibetan culture. It takes place every year on the 10th of March and this year marks the 10th anniversary.
Sunday morning started with a film screening titled “Espoir d’un Tibet Libre – Hope for a Free Tibet” by Migmar Jannot. The documentary traces the journey of the first batch of 20 Tibetan children that arrived in France in 1962 following His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s appeal for international aid for Tibet and his people. Representative Genkhang was invited to participate in an exchange with the public after the film screening in the presence of the Director.
Following this, Representative Genkhang was received by the Mayor at the town hall for a bilateral meeting during which she expressed her heartfelt gratitude for his continued support for Tibet since his time as a member of the French National Assembly and President of the Tibet group. The two sides also discussed a range of issues including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Central Tibetan Administration and the current situation of Tibet. The Mayor thanked Representative Genkhang for her visit to his town and assured her of his continued support.
At the end of the meeting, the Representative presented the Mayor with a traditional Tibetan scarf and a few books, including His Holiness’ Book of Joy as a token of gratitude.
The two then joined the other guests and participants for the inaugural of the event, which was moved indoors due to an exceptional severe weather alert. After the Mayor’s inaugural address, Representative Genkhang in her remarks thanked once again the Mayor and his staff for their commitment to defend the just cause of Tibet and their efforts in organising such an event. She also informed the audience the importance of 10th March and reminded that the day marked the 65th anniversary of the Tibetan National uprising day. She then highlighted the ongoing repression of Tibetans in Tibet and the need for continued support. Representative Genkhang also thanked the government of France for its support for Tibet and its people.
A candle was then lit to pay homage to the self-immolators and political prisoners, observed a minute of silence and sang the Tibetan national anthem.
Different stands run by Tibet Support Groups, Buddhist Centers, individual businesses, artists, Tibetan restaurants cater to the public. In addition, the event also features conferences, exhibitions, sand mandala creation and dissolution etc.
As an expression of support and solidarity with the Tibetan people, Villeneuve-Loubet hoists the Tibetan national flag permanently on their municipal building and is twinned with Lhuntse Dzong in Tibet since 2016. 72 other municipalities in France are also part of this “Town twinning/adoption campaign” initiated by France-Tibet and Mr Jean-Louis Halioua with the support of Mr Lionnel Luca. The campaign aims to garner grassroots support for the preservation of Tibetan identity and culture and bring international focus to the situation in Tibet.
According to records available, 676 municipalities in France, 55 municipalities in Belgium and 40 municipalities in Luxembourg also hoist the Tibetan national flag either on the 10th of March or throughout the year.
