Canberra: Representative Karma Singey of the Tibet Information Office in Australia inaugurated Sheyon Kyitsel Ling, a new Tibetan Language and Culture Weekend School at Central Coast in New South Wales State, on 27 May 2023. The school’s name was graciously bestowed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the request of the Central Coast Tibetan Community.
Sangpo, the President of Sheyon Kyitsel Ling’s organising committee, briefly introduced the objectives behind the establishment of the Weekend School at the gathering. The event was also addressed by its special guest, Principal Lobsang Lungrik from the Sydney Rigney Kystel Khang Weekend School, who emphasised the need to study Tibetan and maintain Tibet’s unique culture while it is being systematically eradicated throughout Tibet.
Representative Karma Singey also highlighted the preservation of the Tibetan language and culture as the prime responsibility of the Tibetan communities outside Tibet while presenting the Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing crackdown on Tibetan religion and cultural identity inside Tibet. He urged the community members in general and parents in particular for their support, motivation and encouragement to their children in safeguarding the distinct cultural identity of Tibetans. He further thanked the teachers and PTA members of the Tibetan weekend schools for rendering valuable volunteer services for the upbringing of the future generation of Tibetans with aspects of its own culture and identity.
The inaugural ceremony was also attended by Secretary Lhawang Gyalpo of the Tibet Information Office, Australia; Executive members of Sydney Tibetan Community Association, Thupten Gyaltsen and Kalsang Nyima; and Headmaster of Sydney Rigney Kystel Khang Weekend School, Tsering Norbu.
Group photo of the dignitaries with young Tibetan students.
Children presenting a group song during the inaugural ceremony of the new weekend school.