A three-day Tibetan Cultural Festival showcasing Tibetan heritage, traditions and history began in Dharamsala on Thursday. The festival, jointly organised by the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) and the Tibetan Settlement Office, was inaugurated by Penpa Tsering, the Sikyong (President) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).
Addressing the gathering, Tsering said the festival aims to strengthen ties with the Indian community and spread awareness about Tibetan culture and the Tibetan exile experience among visitors.
“This festival is being organised after many years. Tibetans have been living in exile in India for decades and we believe Indians should know more about Tibet, its history, heritage and culture. This exhibition is also a way to express our gratitude to the Central and state governments for supporting Tibetan settlements in India,” he said.
He added that Tibet shares a long historical and geographical connection with India, stretching from Arunachal Pradesh to Jammu and Kashmir, making it important for Indians to better understand Tibetan history and culture.
The festival features exhibitions and information stalls set up by major Tibetan institutions, including the Norbulingka Institute, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives and Men-Tsee-Khang.
While Men-Tsee-Khang is offering free medical consultations and medicines, the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives has displayed books on Tibet in Hindi, English and Tibetan languages.
The festival also includes Hindi-dubbed documentaries on the life and teachings of the 14th Dalai Lama, along with cultural performances by Tibetan schoolchildren and artistes from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts.
A large number of Tibetans, local residents and tourists attended the opening day of the festival. Vani Sharma, a visitor from Shimla, described the event as a unique opportunity to learn about Tibetan culture and the life of Tibetans in exile. “I am here to experience Tibetan culture, their issues, food, handicrafts and performances. It is a completely new experience for me. I was unaware of many aspects of the Tibetan diaspora,” she said. The festival will conclude on May 30.
