MESSAGE FROM H.H. THE DALAI LAMA

The establishment of the Chicago TIBETcenter by Mr. Tsering Tashi, a former senior staff of the Tibetan government in exile, who is now living in Chicago under the U.S.-Tibetan Resettlement Program, is most encouraging. I have always admired people who dedicate their time and energy toward the service of the larger Tibetan interests and goals.

Tibet today is passing through a very difficult period. The repressive measures being taken by the Chinese authorities to undermine the Tibetan culture, religion and way of life is a cause for serious concern. The unabated influx of Chinese immigrants to Tibet is reducing the Tibetans to an insignificant minority in their own country. Nevertheless the spirit of the Tibetan people remains strong and I am optimistic about the future of Tibet. This is to a large extent because of the wide international support that the issue of Tibet is gaining.

I very much laud the objectives of the Chicago TIBETcenter to promote the cause of Tibet and the Tibetan culture. I believe that the success of the center will depend much on the cooperation and support of our American friends that I hope will be forthcoming. I have no doubt that if smoothly run the center will go a long way in benefiting both the Tibetans and the Americans.

THE DALAI LAMA

December 31, 1998

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TIBETcenter
828 Dempster, Evanston IL 60202

SEND EMAILS TO:   tibetcenter@aol.com

TIBETgift, 828 Dempster, Evanston is a major supporter of TIBETcenter. An effective way to support TIBETcenter and create awareness for our culture is to shop here. TIBETcenter members get 15% or more discount on purchases.

TIBETcenter is a 501c3  not-for-profit Tibetan art and culture organization.  It endeavors to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Tibet. The organization was founded in January 1999 with the blessing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. TIBETcenter sponsors lectures, workshops, classes, live demonstrations of Tibetan arts and crafts, performances and events to educate the public about the ancient culture of Tibet. These programs often feature visiting Lamas, monks, nuns, traditional Tibetan doctors and astrologers, artisans and craftsmen, performers and Tibetologists.

The art and cultural programs are partially funded by the Illinois Arts Council, TIBETgift, and others. Of course, friends paying for its wonderful programs is still the main source of income.  

In the first several years, TIBETcenter exercised meticulous efforts to expand its broad-based grass-root outreach programs. Apart from Chicago and Evanston, it organized several Tibet-related programs at different venues, namely, Glencoe, Libertyville, Batavia, Naperville, Highland Park, Oak Park, Techy, Downers Grove, Wilmette, Oswego and Winnetka. Encouraged by the success of its programs, of late it has had been venturing on programming some events on a larger scale, such as, the Tibet Concert in 2007 at Harris Theater in Millennium Park, “Dance and Music from the Roof of the World” at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern University in 2008, followed by Tibet Film Festival at different venues.