I'm trying to keep my head above water -- sometimes wondering why I'm doing this to myself but always knowing, deep down, that I'm doing the right thing and that, if I don't make this move now, I never will and it will always prey on my mind: what if...? -- I'm talking of moving my life, my business to Oban -- leaving behind so many of my wonderful friends and family here in Switzerland. That'll be a wrench!
Right now it all feels pretty painful and chaotic but I'm already catching glimpses of relief at jettisoning some of the material ballast I've been dragging around with me for far too long. And I know that true friendships will last.
But enough of me. Here's a press release from RTFC -- a friend of mine is currently living and working in Dharamsala, Nepal, assisting the Tibetans there in their peaceful struggle with his beautiful photography and artwork. RTFC – Raise Tibetan Flag Campaign merits everyone's support.
For what it's worth, I'm proud to be able to pass on the word about it, especially on the day on which the Olympic torch was flown to Beijing, which is excellent news for the Chinese government, terrible for universal human rights.
Nuff said. Peace!
The Tibetan flag is raised high on Münsterplatz in Bern on Monday, March 24, 2008. © Photo: MPJPS
Since the Press Release was written, a video has been compiled for RTFC which you can view at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0zs-icVGts
And the date of the opening has had to be shifted. Here's the note that just came in from one of the organisers: "... after meeting with the Tibetan Parliament this afternoon, we secured part two of our Exhibition at the Tibet Museum from April 7th to the 19th. The opening will still be held at the TCV day school."
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March 31, 2008 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Raise Tibetan Flags Campaign hosts its inaugural Peace Exhibition in
Dharamsala
Dharamsala, India – Since the Chinese annexation of Tibet in 1949 and more recently, in the wake of the events in Tibet and within the Tibetan exile community, Raise Tibetan Flags Campaign (RTFC) was initiated as an outlet for peaceful and proactive demonstrations.
As a result, RTFC has coordinated a Peace Exhibition featuring the work of 17 photographers, painters, multi-media and video artists, performance artists and musicians from 9 different countries across the world.
The purpose of the Exhibition is to portray ideas and reflections about Tibet, united by the themes of peace, freedom and justice through art and music while fundraising for RTFC. The opening Exhibition will begin at 11 am at the TCV Day School on Sunday, April 6th, 2008 and continue at the Tibet Museum until April 19th.
Admission will be free at the opening Exhibition and 5 Rs. at the Tibet Museum.
RTFC is a movement which aims to promote peace and awareness through raising Tibetan flags worldwide. The ultimate objective of RTFC is to create a platform for Tibetans to express their right to raise Tibetan flags. Raising a Tibetan flag is a simple yet powerful act of solidarity for both Tibetans and Tibet supporters alike. Since not one Tibetan flag is allowed in Tibet, we will raise millions everywhere throughout the world.
All proceeds from donations and the sale of art works from the Exhibition will go towards the further distribution of Tibetan flags; RTFC is run entirely on a voluntary basis.
The Raise Tibetan Flags Campaign is also organizing ongoing Peace Exhibitions which will continue from Dharamsala to Delhi, Seoul, Kathmandu, Bangkok, London, Los Angles, Minneapolis, Kumamoto and various cities throughout the world. By organizing international Exhibitions, our goal is to promote the message of peaceful expression far and wide while opening the dialogue about Tibet amongst the citizens of the world. In addition to Tibetan-themed artwork, each Peace Exhibition we host will also include speakers and musicians who will help spread awareness and understanding about the current situation in Tibet. Free Tibetan flags will also be available at each Peace Exhibition so that all attendees can carry on the promotion of peace and awareness through the raising of a Tibetan flag.
For more information, please contact:
Tenzing Jamyang – Campaign Founder
(for Tibetan and Hindi correspondence: mobile 9805236959)
Wen-Yan King – Campaign Co-founder
(for English correspondence: mobile 9816273240)
Je Min Lee – Exhibition Founder
(for Korean correspondence: mobile 9218807616)
peace@tibetanflags.org
www.tibetanflags.org
NOTES TO EDITORS
Raise Tibetan Flags Campaign (RTFC) was established one week after the events of the 49th anniversary of the March 10th, 2008 commendation of the Tibetan Uprising. The ultimate objective of RTFC is for Tibetans to have the right to raise Tibetan flags inside Tibet. Within the first week of RTFC's establishment, we raised over 4,000 Tibetans flags through free public distribution in McLeod Ganj. By mobilizing Tibet supporters across the world, we will continue raising Tibetan flags to promote peace and awareness while paying homage to those who have suffered or died for freedom and justice in Tibet. RTFC also aims to preserve Tibet's unique cultural heritage through the mass raising of Tibetan flags worldwide.
Upon its inception, RTFC has existed as an apolitical movement which aspires to unite all Tibet support groups in Dharamsala and abroad under the Tibetan flag. It is RTFC's aspiration for all Tibet supporters to stand in solidarity for promoting peaceful resolution and open dialogue about Tibet.
RTFC's website, www.tibetanflags.org is currently under construction but will available soon. A press kit with detailed information about RTFC will be made available at the press conference at 10am on April 6th, prior to the commencement of the Exhibition. Please RSVP at peace@tibetanflags.org if you plan on attending the press conference. In the meantime, please contact us for any questions or suggestions. We look forward to hearing from you.
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