Geneva Tibetan Community Celebrates His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 89th Birthday
The Tibetan Community of Geneva celebrated the 89th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 29 June 2024 with the gracious presence of Representative Thinley Chukki of the Tibet Bureau in Geneva and Geshe Ngawang Soepa as its chief guests.
It was also attended by around 100 celebrants, including the staff of the Tibet Bureau, and President and Vice President of the Geneva Tibetan Association.
After the offering of ceremonial scarves (kathags) before a portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Vice President of the Geneva Tibetan Association introduced programmes of the event that was followed by a presentation of cultural performances by the students of Tibetan weekend school. The distinguished guests then joined the cutting of birthday cake.
In her keynote address, Representative Thinley Choekyi shared the uplifting news of His Holiness’ successful knee treatment. She also expressed gratitude to past and present members of the Tibetan Association for their dedicated contributions, and urged everyone to commit to enhancing the organisation’s efficiency and organisation. This, she emphasised, is crucial for effective advocacy campaigns, especially given Geneva’s political significance as host to key United Nations offices.
The commemoration also witnessed distribution of Education Department-published children’s book by Dawa, the Tibetan education officer of Geneva, bestowal of recognition awards to Weekend School teachers, and other entertainments.