Photographs from TibetFest 4, Goshen, CT, July 26 and 27, 2008. TibetFest is a two day celebration of Tibetan history and culture. Several well known Tibetan musicians performed including Tenzin Kunsel, Pasang Dolma, Phurbu Namgyal and Amalia Rubin . The driving force behind TibetFest is to assist refugee Tibetans in their ongoing struggle to save their ancient culture from extinction. Tibet was invaded by the Chinese Liberation Army in 1950 without an accepted legal basis for claiming sovereignty over the country. Prior to the invasion there were no Chinese nationals in Tibet and Tibet has asserted its independence from China. There is a bulk of evidence to show that Tibet was an independent country although this is disputed by the Chinese. Tibet had its own currency and postal system, its own government and diplomatic contact with other countries. Tibet has an identity wholly separate from China with its own language, religious traditions and rich unique culture. Since the invasion an estimated 1.2 million Tibetans have died as a result of the Chinese occupation. 6000 monasteries have been destroyed and Tibet's unique culture is under threat. There are currently still hundreds of political prisoners in Tibet in jails in which torture is routine. There is no freedom of speech and the "Tibetan Autonomous Region" has the most serveillance cameras per head of population in the world. Possessing a photograph of the Dalai Lama is illegal. For more information and how you can help please click on "Tibet Links" near the bottom of this page.
The Chinese government has sentenced two Tibetans, Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak, to death for their alleged involvement in the March 2008 protests in Lhasa, Tibet. Without a reprieve, they could be executed at any time. Help save their lives by taking action now. Watch and share a video appeal by former Tibetan political prisoner, Ngawang Sangdrol, calling for international action to stop the executions.
Photographs from TibetFest 4, Goshen, CT, July 26 and 27, 2008. 
