We believe that with everybody's help we will be able to save many elements of an ancient civilization and culture, whose philosophy shares common grounds with ancient Greek philosophy. So, the idea for the 1st Pan-European Festival for Tibetan Culture was born, based on the presentation of the day-to-day life of Tibetans expressed through fine arts.
Thank you Switzerland, said His Holiness the Dalai Lama
For photos: visit www.tibetoffice.ch
Zurich – 8 April: His Holiness the Dalai Lama thanked the Swiss Government, Red Cross and the people, local governments, organisations and individual for their generous assistance to Tibetans for the last five decades. “It is our Tibetan culture and tradition to thank those who help us. Therefore, I would like to express our gratitude to you”, said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Looking back last 51 years, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said there have been both sad and happy moments, sometimes no hope, sometimes some hope and at times with more confidence. He said that during difficult times, there is the good nature of human beings to show solidarity and help. He acknowledged the work of Dr. Toni Hagen, the initiator of the Tibetan settlement project.
Dr. Katrin Hagen, the daughter of late Dr. Hagen spoke about her father’s work with the Tibetan refugee project. The former director of Pestalozzi’s Children Village in Trogen, Mr. Arthur Bill emotionally spoke about his first contacts with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the education of young boys and girls at Trogen.
Mrs. Sigrid Joss-Arnd, a former staff of the Red Cross who was involved with the resettlement of the Tibetans since the early 1960 said, “I was extremely relieved to hear that His Holiness the Dalai Lama had safely crossed into India in 1959.”
In October 1960, 20 Tibetans boys and girls arrived for education at the Pestalozzi’s Children Village in Trogen, Switzerland. The Swiss Government on 29 March 1963 approved the re-settlement of 1,000 Tibetans. Tibetans were the first non-European refugees in Switzerland. Today there are about 4,000 Tibetans living in Switzerland. (more…)