UN Advocacy Officer Phuntsok Topgyal Attends Tibet Festival 2026 Celebrating Tibetan Culture in Basel

The Regional Tibetan Community of Basel, in collaboration with the Gesellschaft Schweizerisch-Tibetische Freundschaft (GSTF), organised its annual Tibet Festival in Basel from 21 to 23 August 2026. The three-day festival brought together members of the Tibetan community, Swiss friends, local residents and distinguished guests to celebrate and promote Tibetan culture and heritage.

Among those attending were Hon. Maya Graf, Member of the Council of States representing the Canton of Basel-Landschaft; Gianna Hablützel-Bürki, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Basel-Stadt; Phuntsok Topgyal, the UN Advocacy Officer at the Office of Tibet Geneva; Thomas, President of GSTF; and other invited guests.

The festival featured a vibrant programme of Tibetan and Swiss music, traditional Tibetan dances, Yak and Lion dances, handicraft displays and traditional Tibetan cuisine. Visitors also had the opportunity to learn about Tibetan history, cultural traditions and heritage through exhibitions and interactions with members of the Tibetan community.

During the festival, Phuntsok Topgyal expressed his appreciation to the distinguished guests and visitors for their participation and for helping to highlight and promote Tibetan culture and heritage. He also briefed attendees on the current situation in Tibet, including the recent case of Lobga Rangzen, and shared information about the challenges facing Tibetans under the current policies in Tibet.

He further introduced the structure and functions of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and explained its objectives and efforts to represent the Tibetan people and preserve Tibet’s unique cultural, linguistic and religious heritage. The interaction provided an opportunity for Swiss guests and members of the wider public to gain a better understanding of both Tibetan culture and the current situation in Tibet.

A special feature of this year’s festival was an exhibition on Thokchak, presented by Christine, the owner of a museum in Basel, offering visitors an opportunity to learn about its cultural and historical significance.

The festival served as an important platform for cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the Tibetan and Swiss communities. The organisers expressed their appreciation to all guests, performers, volunteers and visitors for their participation and support in making the Tibet Festival 2026 a successful celebration of Tibetan culture and heritage.