Thousands of Tibet supporters gather at "Free Tibet" concert in Taiwan

Sunday, 12 July 2009
Ms Keary Huang, Taiwan Correspondent for The Tibet Post International

Taipei: Thousands of Tibet supporters gathered in Taipei yesterday for a marathon concert organized by civic groups as part of a series of activities to commemorate the 1959 uprising in Tibet. Chanting "Free Tibet" and "Long live H.H the Dalai Lama," the crowd waved banners and Tibetan national flags.

In unison, the crowd signed the letter "T" for Tibet with their arms after watching a short video clip of a speech by Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who invoked a blessing on the performers and the future of Taiwan.

Hosted by Guts United, Taiwan, the Taiwan Indie Music Association and Taiwan Friends of Tibet, the "50th Spring: Free Tibet" concert featured 10 independent bands and singers who entertained the audience from the early afternoon through the late evening. Organizers estimated more than 4,000 people attended the event yesterday.

A special message to Taiwanese younger generation by His Holiness the Dalai Lama Lama also featured at the event. "I really very happy to see Taiwan's well-known performers of the music. You know, March 10 to commemorate the anniversary of the Tibetan uprising day, the concerts is very delighted," said His holiness.

"Freedom, democracy, justice, and the rule of law is our common interests of mankind, but also the rights of human nature, you hold another concert to allow many people to understand those great values, this is a great effort"

11july20091"In addition, freedom, democracy and human Rights have a direct link each other, and the concert showed the understanding of Taiwan's younger generations on Taiwan's future freedom, and democracy. I believe that the new generation will use their full wisdom for the freedom, explore the truth, and pay attention to good and moral development, therefore, they will be able to enjoy the freedom and happiness."

"Justice, kindness and goodhearted people can be benefit to others, I hope we try our best. I am a simple monk, particularly concerning about compassion and love, my personal efforts to make every effort to make our life full of freedom, justice and democracy. You are a new generation, it is necessary to link between past and future." continued in the message.

The event reached its high point when Mr. Dawa Tsering, representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Taiwan, Tashi Tsering, president of the Taiwan chapter of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, and Freddy Lim, founder of Guts United, Taiwan, led the participants in signing the letter "T" for Tibet and chanting "Free Tibet." Lim said the concert was aimed at voicing Taiwan's support of freedom, democracy and justice, and commemorating the 50th anniversary of the failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule that began on March 10, 1959.

Musical band Shan-ling and lead singer Freddy visited Dharamshala on 29th December 2008, met His Holiness the Dalai Lama. They came to seek H.H.'s support and blessing for a concert titled "Free Tibet" scheduled for 2009. They hope that this kind of activity will make Taiwanese youth to be more concerned about freedoms, democracy, and human rights.

The Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama told them that Taiwanese people should confront human rights issues everywhere in the world, including Tibet and Taiwan.