Zurich: On the morning of 7 October 2024, Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration arrived at Zurich Airport, Switzerland. Sikyong was warmly welcomed by a delegation including Swiss Representative Thinlay Chukki, the abbot and monks of Rikon Monastery, the president and vice president of the Tibetan Community of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the vice president of the local Tibetan Women’s Association, the president of the Tibetan Youth Association, representatives from the regional U-Tsang Association, the president of the regional Domey Association, and local Tibetan residents.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering later met with Richard Gere, Chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) Board of Directors, Tencho Gyatso, Executive Director of ICT, and former Kalon (Minister) Tempa Tsering at the Dolder Grand Hotel. Representative Thinlay Chukki and UN Advocacy Officer Phuntsok Topgyal were also present at the meeting. Following the meeting, a welcome dinner was hosted, which featured Philip Deliquis and Barbara Miller, directors of the documentary “Wisdom of Happiness,” photographer Manuel Bauer, Tashi Albertini, Richard Gere, and former Kalon Jetsun Pema. During the dinner, Sikyong Penpa Tsering gave a speech stressing the significance of peace, compassion, and harmony in today’s world.
On 8 October 2024, Sikyong Penpa Tsering held a discussion followed by a Q&A session at the Dolder Grand Hotel with representatives from Tibet support groups and Swiss NGOs regarding His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th Birth Anniversary. Sikyong also attended the screening of “Wisdom of Happiness,” a documentary on the life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, at the Zurich Film Festival. After the screening, Sikyong Penpa Tsering delivered a speech.
On the morning of 9 October, Sikyong Penpa Tsering departed from the hotel and flew to Amsterdam.
-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Geneva
