Basel, Switzerland, 9 October 2026: Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) visited the private Tibetan artefacts museum located at Erlenstrasse 29 in Basel, Switzerland, established by Swiss entrepreneur, Tibet enthusiast, and founder of Permamed, Christian H. Lutz. Having been inspired early on by renowned Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer’s historic expedition in Tibet, Lutz undertook multiple travels to Tibet over several decades, amassing an extensive and treasured collection of traditional arts, religious antiquities, and crafts. Upon arrival, Sikyong was warmly received by Lutz alongside members of the local Tibetan Community of Basel, followed by a guided tour through the museum’s comprehensive galleries.
Welcoming the Tibetan political leader, Christian H. Lutz expressed that it was a great honour to host Sikyong at the museum. During the tour, Lutz shared his founding vision of the establishment as a living, dynamic sanctuary committed to the preservation and promotion of Tibet’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. He underscored that the exhibition serves as a vital realm of remembrance for elder Tibetans born in their homeland, while simultaneously providing younger generations in the diaspora and those born outside Tibet an invaluable window to connect with their ancestral roots. Highlighting that Tibetan heritage thrives not merely in ancient relics but through living traditions, language, sacred religious practices, and community solidarity, Lutz reaffirmed his unwavering dedication to safeguarding the “Spirit of Tibet” for future generations.
During the extensive walkthrough, Sikyong Penpa Tsering keenly inspected the diverse exhibits—spanning rare sacred Buddhist sculptures, ritual objects, thangkas, and distinct artisanal works representing Tibet’s spiritual and nomadic heritage. Commending the initiative, Sikyong expressed deep gratitude to Lutz for his warm hospitality and lauded his decades-long dedication to collecting, documenting, and safeguarding these irreplaceable cultural artefacts. Sikyong noted that maintaining such a profound repository outside Tibet plays a pivotal role in keeping Tibet’s distinct civilisational identity and heritage intact amidst ongoing challenges inside Tibet.
Sikyong was accompanied throughout the visit by Representative Thinlay Chukki of the Tibet Bureau Geneva, alongside the President and representatives of the Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein (TCSL).
