Tibetans Around the World Celebrate 35th Anniversary of Conferment of Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama

The Tibetan Community of Switzerland and Liechtenstein organised an event commemorating the 35th anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 14 December 2024. The commemoration ceremony officially began at 1:30 p.m. Initially, the Swiss Representative Office’s representative, Thinley Chukki, along with Rikon Monastery’s abbot and former officials, ceremonially escorted His Holiness’s portrait with incense and placed it on the honoured seat.

Following that, the President of the Tibetan Community of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Ngoedun Gyatso, delivered opening remarks followed by a speech from the abbot of Rikon Monastery, Geshe Tenzin Jangchub.

Likewise, Representative Thinley Chukki addressed the gathering, emphasising the importance of Tibetan parents prioritising the teaching of the Tibetan language and culture to their offspring. She also presented a detailed speech in English, highlighting the remarkable achievements of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Other notable guests, including honourable Mark Eberli, the Mayor of Bulach, and honourable Mario Fehr, the Zurich Security Minister, also delivered speeches.

Mayor Mario Fehr commended the Tibetan community as an exemplary model in Swiss society, crediting this success to the noble guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In light of the recent collapse of an authoritarian regime in the Middle East, he urged Tibetans to preserve the organisational structure and relevance of the Central Tibetan Administration, as the survival of the authoritarian government in Beijing also remains uncertain. He further expressed his contentment, noting that since His Holiness visited Switzerland and the initial release of Wisdom of Happiness also took place in Switzerland this year, these events have been significant blessings.

At the same time, the Tibetan Association, on behalf of the community, expressed gratitude to the supporters of Tibet during the celebration.