(TibetanReview.net, Jun17, 2015) – The 15th annual Himalayan Festival, organized by Maison du Tibet, Paris, focused on Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on his 80th birthday and the environmental situation in Chinese ruled Tibet. Some 5,000 people visited the festival, which was held at the Route de ceinture du Lac-Daumesnil over Jun 13-14, reported the exile Tibetan Administration at Dharamshala, India, on its Tibet.net website Jun 15. The chief guest was Mrs Jetsun Pema, the Dalai Lama’s sister and Chairman of the Tibetan Children’s Villages governing board.
The chief guest took part in a panel discussion on the first day on ‘The contribution of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to World Peace’ with co-panelists Senator Mr André Gattolin, Journalist Mrs Irène Frain, and exile Tibetan MP Ven Thubten Wangchen. Dagpo Rinpoche, who has lived in France since 1960, gave a talk on ‘The Essence of the teaching of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’.
French Senator André Gattolin also took part in a panel discussion on ‘The environmental challenges of the third pole’ on the second day, joined by co-panelists Mrs Marie Holzman, Mr Wang Weiluo, and Mr Alain Lamballe.
During the festival, the Tibet support group France Tibet commemorated its 25th year of working for the Tibetan cause.
Some 34 tents were pitched at the festival’s venue to distribute, sell cultural items and cuisine, raise donations – including for the Nepal earthquake victim – to screen documentary films, and hold lecture demonstrations on various aspects of Himalayan culture. There were also presentations of Tibetan songs and dances, with Tina and her friends performing Bolly Belly Dreams on both the days. The much-anticipated three hours live performance by the famed French group Hilight Tribe concluded the festival.