Three-Day Tibetan Cultural Festival in Dharamshala

The three-day Tibetan Cultural Festival, organized by the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), opened at the Police Ground in Dharamshala. The festival was inaugurated by Sikyong Penpa Tsering, marking his first official cultural engagement following his swearing-in for a second term as the head of the 17th Kashag.

The opening ceremony was attended by numerous distinguished guests, including Shri Sudhir Sharma, MLA of Himachal Pradesh; Kerry McCarthy and Wera Hobhouse, Members of Parliament from the United Kingdom; parliamentarians from Latin America; former Indian military officials; members of the Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association; and senior officials of the Central Tibetan Administration.

The programme commenced with the offering of butter lamps before a portrait of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, followed by prayers led by monks from Nechung Monastery. In his inaugural address, Sikyong Penpa Tsering expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of India for their unwavering support of the Tibetan community. He also underscored the importance of strengthening awareness of Tibet, particularly among younger generations.

As part of the festival, the Tibet Museum presented a pictorial exhibition on the life and legacy of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, offering visitors an opportunity to learn about his lifelong commitment to peace, compassion, nonviolence, and the preservation of Tibetan culture and identity.

The festival featured a diverse range of cultural programmes, including exhibitions, institutional stalls, traditional Tibetan cuisine, cultural performances, documentary screenings, and community activities. The opening day witnessed enthusiastic participation from both the Tibetan community and local residents, reflecting the festival’s success in promoting Tibetan culture and fostering greater public understanding.