The Tibetan community in the Netherlands welcoming Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay in Amsterdam
Amsterdam, 18 October: “I am honoured and touched by your welcome,” said Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay.
About 350 Tibetans dressed their chubas and waving the Tibetan and Dutch national flags welcomed their political leader during his first visit to the Netherlands. They were gathered in front of the meeting hall. As Sikyong’s car arrived, they performed the popular snow Lion and yak dance, as well as a traditional welcome dance.
The program began with the singing of the Tibetan national anthem and the observation of one-minute silence in memory of all those Tibetans who have died for the cause of Tibet. This was followed by the vice president of the Tibetan Community in the Netherlands reading a brief annual report of the community’s activities. He then requested Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay to address the community members.
Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay speaking to the Tibetan community in the Netherlands“During the last three years, the present Kashag has worked hard and made reasonable progress in our work,” he said. “One of our greatest achievements has been the smooth transition after His Holiness the Dalai Lama devolved his political authority to the democratically elected Tibetan leadership.”
“During the last three years, the present Kashag has worked hard and made reasonable progress in our work,” he said. “One of our greatest achievements has been the smooth transition after His Holiness the Dalai Lama devolved his political authority to the democratically-elected Tibetan leadership.”
The Middle Way Approach, Sikyong said is the official policy of the Central Tibetan Administration, which seeks genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people within the framework of the Chinese constitution.
“Since the age of 16, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has tirelessly led the Tibetan people. We must always be grateful to His Holiness for his vision and wisdom, and adhere to his advices,” said Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay.
He acknowledged that with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s blessing that he has had been able to make new contacts and make constructive progress in his work.
As majority of the community’s members were young Tibetans, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay passionately urged them the importance to teach Tibetan language, culture and religion to their children.
He said that the Tibetans have international support because of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the humility, integrity and resilience of the Tibetan people.
“This is our greatest asset. We must not loss this. We must continue to maintain this very positive and important view of Tibetans. If we were to loss these principles, we’ll not only lose their support but also endanger the goodwill for the future generations of Tibetans,” he said.
Sikyong said that during his meetings with the Dutch government officials, he thanked the people and the government for their assistance and support to the Tibetans living in the Netherlands.
He said he also briefed the Dutch officials the problems faced by Tibetans asylum applicants. There are some 60 Tibetans who are facing difficulties with their application for political refuge in the Netherlands. Some of them have been in the Netherlands as long as 14 years.
Sikyong especially met with some of the above Tibetans before his departure from Amsterdam to Barcelona on Saturday evening.
Tibetan community members listening to Sikyong’s address in Amsterdam