Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion (Film Premiere)
December 14, 2003

A benefit screening of the film Tibet: Cry of Snow Lion was held at the Music Box Theater. This critically acclaimed documentary was produced by Zambuling Pictures, and it was directed by Tom Peosay.

This premiere screening was introduced to the audience by Mr. Namgyal Shallung, one of board members of the Tibetan Alliance. It was followed by offering of prayer for world peace by a monk named Tenzin Namgyal. Mr. Lobsan Yangphel concluded the ceremony with playing of a Tibetan musical score called 'Sound of Peace'. Many people came to see this provocative film that has taken ten years to complete.

Nobel Peace Award Commemoration
December 13, 2003

The Tibetan community in Chicago gathered for an evening of celebration to mark the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to H. H. the Dalai Lama. TAC President gave an introductory speech followed by offering of khatag to the throne of the Dalai Lama. One of the school girls named Penpa recited a beautiful Tibetan poem in honor of the Nobel Laureate and Palmo read out a short speech.

TAC volunteers served a delicious meal of noodle to the community. People sang, danced, cracked jokes and personal anecdotes, making the evening a memorable one.

Spirit of Tibet
December 12, 2003

A special benefit event called the 'Spirit of Tibet' was held at the Flatfile Gallery, Downtown Chicago. This event was held to honor the awarding of Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1989.

Flatfile gallery owner Ms. Susan Arniko made her whole gallery space available to the Tibetan Alliance where some of the Tibetan artists displayed their talents at music, butter sculptor, sand Mandala, etc. The event drew many people to the cause of Tibet.

Open House—Tibetan Style
November 15-16, 2003

Two day open house was organized at the community center. The key attraction was the construction of Sand Mandala by kushok Tenzin Namgyal and Tibetan Butter Sculpture by Mr. Sonam Dargyal. There was Tibetan market and sampling of Tibetan cuisine.

Tibetan Evening—A Special Fundraiser
October 18, 2003

TAC organized a special fundraiser evening at the Unity Church. This special benefit evening featured chants by Drepung Gomang monks, songs of celebration by Richard Fammeree and Devi 2000, meditation session with Yoga master Lama Lobsang Palden, Tibetan market and dinner.

Political Debate
September 26, 2003

TAC organized the first ever public debate on the future of Tibet. The topic of the discussion was "Can we free Tibet through peaceful dialogue with China?". The program generated so much interest that the community center was packed to capacity. The participants in the debate were Mr. Tseten Lungkara, Mr. Kalsang Dragoo, Mr. Tsering Chonjor, Mr. Chonjor, Mr. Chophel Bara, Mr. Lobsang Tenzin Meindrukbhuk and Mrs. Tenzin Chodon Wangyal. The moderator was Mr. Sherab Gyatso.

Tibetan Democracy Day
September 2, 2003

Tibetan Democracy day was observed with a reading of Kashag's message for the day. It was read aloud by two girls, Palmo and Palha. TAC invited the former President of Tibetan Association, Mr. Tseten Wangyal Lungkarato was the guest speaker at a community gathering. A special Tibetan documentary on Tashi jong settlement was screened. At the end, there was a fund raiser dance party.

Teaching by Prof. Geshey Yeshi Thapgya
August 9, 2003 (evening)

TAC invited the visiting Prof. Geshey Yeshi Thapgya of Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Varanasi, to give a special teaching on Four Noble Truths. It was a very educational and spiritual evening of learning and prayer session. The community brought potluck in honor of the visiting Geshey la.

Children's Art Project
August 9, 2003

TAC organized a special art project for our children. Our supporter Ms Julie Pitzen organized the program with help from Lill Street Project. As many as 25 children participated in the program of clay modeling class. Their works are put on permanent display in the community center.

Chokhor Duchen
August 2, 2003

Chokhor Duchen is the celebration of the first sermon given by Lord Buddha. A special prayer session was organized and volunteers prepared the offerings and other arrangements. The President of TAC gave an introduction to the holy day and Mr. Gawa let the prayer session.

World Tibet Day Celebration
July 5, 2003

Special Midwest Tibetan Festival.

World Refugee Day
June 20, 2003

TAC participated in the celebration of World Refugee Day at Chicago Cultural Center. There were 500 guests. Our volunteers set up a special Tibetan booth depicting conditions of Tibetans in Tibet. Our children's dance troupe gave a special presentation of Tibetan dance and music. Mr. Losang Yangphel and Mr. Pasang presented a song Tibetans who sacrificed their life for Tibet.

Protest Demonstration at the Chinese Consulate
June18 , 2003

As soon as the news of the arrest of 18 Tibetan refugees by Chinese military police in Nepal, reached TAC office, we organized a special meeting to coordinate a protest demonstration in front of the Chinese Consulate. Some 30 community members and 20 Tibetans from MN participated in a three hour demonstration before the Chinese consulate. Speeches were given in different languages denouncing the Chinese and the Nepalese action.

Saga Dawa Celebration
June 14, 2003

Saga Dawa is one of the most important Buddhist holy days on which falls the three events in Lord Buddha's life viz. birth, death and enlightenment. The community showed up for the special offering of Tsok prayers. The TAC President recounted the life of Lord Buddha and relevance of Buddhist teachings in today's world of violence and war. Two other religious prayer sessions - Buddha Jayati and Zamling Chesang were observed by the community.

Yoga Yantra
May 24, 2003

Lama Lobsang Palden , an incarnate lama from St. Louis visited our community center on May 24th. The lama was accompanied by his wife and children. TAC a hosted a special Yoga evening where the visiting Yoga master gave a practical demonstration of Yoga Yantra—a meditation technique using combination of holistic and meditative exercises. The community center was jam packed with eager Yoga learners.

Mother's Day Celebration
May 11 , 2003

Mother's Day was celebrated on May 11. Children constructed special greeting card for their mothers expressing deep gratitude and respects. There was a short talk, potluck dinner and a dance party.

Talk on Tibet by author Thomas Laird
April 19, 2003

Thomas Laird is a well known Central Asian expert, an author and a photo journalist who had spent 32 years working in Nepal, Tibet and in India. His most recent book is entitled Into Tibet: The CIA's First Atomic Spy and His Secret Expedition to Lhasa.

Mr. Thomas gave a very stimulating talk on the history of Tibet. At the end of the talk, there was a question and answer session. The community center was packed to capacity and there was a potluck dinner in honor of the visiting author.

Face to Face with Prisoners
April 13, 2003

On April 13, TAC arranged a special evening called ' Meet the Nuns'. Two former prisoners of the notorious Drapchi Prison in Tibet, Ani Chuyin Kunsang and Ani Passang Lhamo were invited to give talk about life in Tibetan prison. The nuns gave a gripping account of their hellish time in the prison. In honor of the visiting nuns, the community brought potluck dinner.

Students for a Free Tibet
Midwest Conference
April 12-13 , 2003

TAC hosted the first Midwest Conference for Students for a Free Tibet from April 12-13, at the community center. As many as 18 delegates from IN, MN, WI. MI, IL attended the conference. Ms. Alma David from SFT Head Office (NY) was the conference chair and Ms. Lindsey was the coordinator.