Welcome to Seattle Center

Choose a language

Tibet Fest is August 9: 11am-5pm & August 10: 12pm-5pm at the Armory Food & Event Hall. The festival is part of the Seattle Center Festál series. It is free and open to the public.  

Seattle Center Festál is a year-round series of 25 free cultural festivals, produced in partnership with community organizations. In 2022, Festál celebrated 25 years of stories and traditions, ushering in a new era of hybrid programming. Learn more about Festál and subscribe to the newsletter for updates.

Sign Up For Festal News Button

EVENT Schedule – Saturday, August 9: 11am-5pm

ARMORY STAGE

Time

Activity/Performance

11:00am

Tibet & US National Anthems – Tibetan Language & Cultural School (TLCS)

11:05am

MC Welcome – Rehwa Nyatsatsang & Tsundue

11:08am

Tashi Sholpa – Former Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) Artists & Dhundup Dorjee

11:18am

Speech – Namgyal Nanglo (President, Tibetan Association of Washington (TAW))

11:27am

Speech – Chelsea Riddick-Most (Director of Programs & Events, Seattle Center)

11:33am

Speech – His Eminence Khöndung Avikrita Vajra Sakya Rinpoche (Sakya Monastery)

11:42am

Speech – Dr. Namgyal Choedup (Representative, Office of Tibet)

11:51am

Dro-Dhung (Drum Dance) – Former Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) Artists

12:01pm

Silden Khangri (Song) – Tibetan Language & Cultural School (TLCS) Level 1

12:07pm

Katrin Che (Song) – Tibetan Language & Cultural School (TLCS) Level 1

12:15pm

Nangma Toeshey (Song) – Tibetan Language & Cultural School (TLCS) + Former Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) Artists

12:25pm

Tibetan Nomad Song & Flute performance – Tamding Arts

12:45pm

Kham Gawa Song – Nyechen Thangla

12:53pm

Sa Chogpo ("Precious Land") – Sonahla Saldon

1:00pm

Rithang Lungta – Nyechen Thangla, Tenzin Tsundue & Narotasae

1:06pm

Nagchui Gorshey – Sonahla Saldon & Somaya Dekyi

1:12pm

Nyarong Lithang –Tenzin Chonyi, Tenzin Lodoe, and Tenzin Tsundue

1:20pm

Rawag Gorshey – Tensel Lhamo & Tenzin Norzin (Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association)

1:27pm

Cholsum Nyamshe (Song) – Tibetan Language & Cultural School (TLCS) Level 2 & 3

1:35pm

Lunch Break: Video

2:25pm

Welcome Back – Rehwa Nyatsatsang & Tsundue

2:30pm

Seng-Cham (Snow Lion Dance) – Gonpo YiGontsang, Dhondup Dorjee & Former Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) Artists

2:40pm

Tengkar Repa – Khentse Zurpa & Tenzin Zeden

2:46pm

Zilu – Tensel Lhamo & Tenzin Norzin (Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association)

3:00pm

Ache Lhamo (Opera) – Tibetan Language & Cultural School (TLCS) + Former Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) Artists

4:05pm

MC Closing Remarks – Rehwa Nyatsatsang & Tsundue –

4:30pm

Gorshey (Circle Dance) – Former Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) Artists & Nyechen Thangla

 EXHIBITS & ACTIVITIES (ALL-DAY)

Location

Event

Armory Floor

Tamding Arts Calligraphy

Loft Lobby, Armory Floor

His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday Collection (loaned by Office of Tibet)

West Balcony

Tibetan Artifacts (loaned by Burke Museum)

East Balcony

Children’s Activities

 

EVENT Schedule – Sunday, August 10: 12pm-5pm

ARMORY STAGE

Time

Activity/Performance

12:00pm

Tibet & US National Anthems – Tibetan Language & Cultural School (TLCS)

12:05pm

MC Welcome – Tenzin Namgyal & Ghangkar Lhadon

12:08pm

Tashi Sholpa – Former Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) Artists & Dhundup Dorjee

12:18pm

Fashion Show – Tenzin Lodoe & Others

12:38pm

Dro-Dhung (Drum Dance) – Former Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) Artists

12:48pm

Silden Khangri (Song) – Tibetan Language & Cultural School (TLCS) Level 1

12:55pm

Katrin Che (Song) – Tibetan Language & Cultural School (TLCS) Level 1

1:03pm

Kham Gawa (Song) – Nyechen Thangla

1:13pm

Nangma Toeshey (Song) – Tibetan Language & Cultural School (TLCS) + Former Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) Artists

1:22pm

Rithang Lungta – Nyechen Thangla, Tenzin Tsundue & Narotasae

1:30pm

Cholsum Nyamshe (Song) – Tibetan Language & Cultural School (TLCS) Level 2 & 3

1:35pm

Lunch Break: Video

2:25pm

Welcome Back – Tenzin Namgyal & Ghangkar Lhadon

2:30pm

Seng-Cham (Snow Lion Dance) – Gonpo YiGontsang, Dhondup Dorjee & Former Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) Artists

2:38pm

Nagchui Gorshey – Sonahla Saldon & Somaya Dekyi

2:43pm

Nyarong Lithang – Tenzin Chonyi, Tenzin Lodoe, and Tenzin Tsundue

2:50pm

TopBhu – Sonahla Saldon

3:00pm

Tengkar Repa – Khentse Zurpa & Tenzin Zeden

3:10pm

Ache Lhamo (Opera) – Tibetan Language & Cultural School (TLCS) + Former Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) Artists

4:20pm

Closing Speech – Sanggay Tsognyi (General Secretary, Tibetan Association of Washington (TAW))

4:30pm

Gorshey (Circle Dance) – Former Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) Artists & Nyechen Thangla

EXHIBITS & ACTIVITIES (ALL-DAY)

Location

Event

Armory Floor

Tamding Arts Calligraphy

Loft Lobby, Armory Floor

His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday Collection (loaned by Office of Tibet)

East Balcony

Children’s Activities

 VENDORS

  • Amza Superfoods
  • Drokpa Nepal
  • Henna
  • Kathmandu MoMoCha (Outside Food)
  • Lhasa Trade
  • Native Creations
  • Tibetan Handicraft Emporium
  • Tibetan Language & Cultural School (TLCS) (Outside Food)
  • Tibetan Nuns Project

View the 2024 highlights below

Photo Gallery

OVERVIEW

Seattle Center Festál presents Tibet Fest (pronounced T-bet Fest) in partnership with the Tibetan Association of Washington (TAW). The festival showcases traditional and contemporary Tibetan art, music, dance, art and more.

The public rarely has the opportunity to experience Tibet’s unique and endangered culture. The Tibetan diaspora outside Tibet is very small in number and it is challenging to preserve and propagate the culture among the younger generation. Tibet Fest provides a unique opportunity for the community to embrace their Tibetan identity with pride, and introduce themselves to the public as being a part of the greater diverse population in this city and nation.

The focus of Tibet Fest is to preserve the culture in their community and also provide an opportunity for the broader public to experience this very rich and unique, but often inaccessible culture.

HISTORY

Information provided by Tibetan Association of Washington (TAW)

The Tibetan state started in 127 B.C., with establishment of the Yarlung Dynasty. The country was first unified in the 7th Century, under King Songtsen Gampo. Tibet was one of the mightiest powers of Asia for the three centuries that followed. A formal peace treaty concluded between China and Tibet in 821/823 A.D. demarcated the borders between the two countries and ensured that, “Tibetans shall be happy in Tibet and Chinese shall be happy in China.” In the later years, Tibet came under influence of Mongolian rule and later Manchu rule of Qing Dynasty. The final army of the Qing were expelled from Tibet in 1911 and the 13th Dalai Lama formally declared Tibetan independence.

Tibet remained as a de facto independent state until the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) invaded Tibet and forced them under duress, to sign the so called 17th Point Peace Agreement in 1951. Tibetans rose up against Chinese rule in many areas, some violent, but many peaceful. After a failed people’s uprising on March 10, 1959 in Lhasa, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and over 100,000 Tibetans fled into exile to India, Nepal and Bhutan.

The United Nations General Assembly passed resolutions in 1959, 1961 and 1965, urging respect for the rights of the Tibetan people and also recognized the Tibetan people’s right to self-determination.

There were under 500 Tibetans in the U.S. until the passage of the 1990 Immigration Act, which provided the resettlement of 1,000 displaced Tibetans into the U.S. from Nepal and India. The Tibetans received permanent residence and work authorization, but no benefits for three years or federal funds, which were typically granted to refugees.

Seattle and Portland/Vancouver were two of the many sites in this resettlement project. The Tibetan population has steadily increased to over 30,000, largely concentrated in New York and the Twin cities.

Tibetan Association of Washington (TAW) is 501(c)3 non-profit organization since March 1993. TAW supports the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his commitment to the principle of non-violence in the Tibetan people's struggle for freedom.

The first Tibet Fest was held in 1996. TAW and Tibet Fest are both driven by volunteers’ endeavors since its inception, which also remains its biggest strength and source of optimism for the future years.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Tibet is the world’s highest plateau (avg. 3000 m. above sea level).
  • Tibet is called the 3rd pole. It holds the largest body of fresh water outside of the Artic and Antarctica. The headwaters of six of Asia’s major rivers begin on the Tibetan Plateau and feeds 20% of the world’s population.
  • Tibet is one of the first countries to ban the death penalty in 1913.
  • The yak, a native animal of Tibet, typically refers to males. Females are called 'dr-ie'.
  • Tibetan tea has salt and butter.
Learn more about Tibetan Association of Washington (TAW).
Visit TAW Website

Festal Sponsor

Campus Sponsors