International Himalayan Festival to open on Dec 10 in Dharamsala
DHARAMSALA, Dec 7: The 20th International Himalayan Festival will be held over Dec 10-11 at Hotel Bhagsu in Mcleod Ganj Dharamsala.
The announcement was made at a press conference held today in Dharamsala by the Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association (ITFA), the organizer of the event.
The press conference was presided over by members of the advisory committee of ITFA, Shri Ram Swaroop, former President of ITFA, Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, current member of Tibetan Parliament, Mr Yonten Gyatso, former member of Tibetan Parliament and Mr Sonam Dorjee, Tibetan settlement officer, Dharamsala.
The two-day festival is being organized with active support from the Central Tibetan Administration and various local organizations, including the Bhagsu Taxi Union and Auto Union, to commemorate the 26th anniversary of the conferment of Nobel Peace prize to the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The festival also aims to promote friendship and cultural understanding between the Tibetans and the local Indian community in Dharamsala and among those living in the Himalayan region.
Minister of Housing, Urban Development and Town & Country Planning in the Government of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Sudhir Sharma will be the Chief Guest and executive head of the Tibetan people, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay will be the Guest of Honor at the opening day of the festival. On the closing day, Divisional Commissioner of Kangra and Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament, Mr Penpa Tsering will be the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honor respectively.
Traditional and cultural performances will be presented by various artists from Kullu, Mandi, Chamba, and Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal. Artists from the Tibetan Institute of Performing arts will also present Tibetan cultural performances at the festival.
The first International Himalayan Festival was held in 1995 to commemorate the conferment of the prestigious Nobel Peace prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness was awarded the coveted prize in 1989.
