ATC Board member Zoë Bedford and Chris Teasdale from the National Office joined Dharamsala’s Tibetan community as they watched and celebrated the Dalai Lama’s Congressional Gold Medal ceremony. They sent the following report.

Dharamsala: The large crowd became restless during George Bush’s speech. Perhaps a mixture of anticipation of the imminent presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal and weariness as midnight approached. However, as the Dalai Lama stood to receive his award all tiredness seemed to be forgotten by the 5000 people who had squeezed into the courtyard at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts above McLeod Ganj.

All night, enormous cheers had erupted every time the Dalai Lama had appeared on the big-screen. But the cheer reserved for the actual presentation was heartfelt and sustained and immediately followed by an impressive (and somewhat scarily close) fireworks display.

Since 6.00 pm, a broad spectrum of Tibetan society had sat and waited and found ways to pass the time. Monks said prayers. Traditionally dressed elders chatted amidst spinning prayer wheels and very hip young Tibetans joked around with friends between mobile calls. Up and coming bands played Tibetan rock, pop and an excellent cover of Europe’s “The Final Countdown”. The three pigtailed young Tibetan girls sitting next to me eagerly pointed out the celebrities in the crowd. We spotted both Miss Tibet 2006 and Miss Tibet 2007.

Earlier in the day, the venue had been host to a tug-of-war contest organised by some of the Dharamsala-based Tibet support groups. The ‘Students for a Free Tibet’ team was hard to beat but the crowd favourite was definitely the ‘Tibetan Grandmas’ led by a 5ft grey-haired dynamo. I’m not sure how familiar Tibetans are with the concept of tug-of-war, but they got involved with a lot of spirit and good humour.

By 6.00 pm, the crowd was literally hanging off the rafters. Every ledge, truck, wall and stairway was packed with people eager to see the presentation. Applause and calls of “Rangzen” were frequent as news bulletins mentioned the upcoming ceremony. As the time for the live telecast drew closer, the crowd watched intently as ATC’s own “Middle Way” address by the Dalai Lama, filmed during his Australian tour in June, was played on the big screen.

Once the live telecast began at 11.15 pm the crowd watched and cheered the pre-recorded messages of congratulations to His Holiness from other important Buddhist figures, such as the Karmapa. Tibetans were overjoyed to see the Tibetan flag carried into Congress. Between the Tibetan voice over and the cheering, I wasn’t able to hear much but it didn’t matter. The symbolism of the event is self-explanatory. During the numerous introductory speeches, the comment that the Dalai Lama “is not a splittist” was particularly well received, as were the references to the Dalai Lama visiting China to engage in direct negotiations.

Just after midnight it was all over and everyone began the walk back down to McLeod Ganj and home.

Today was a public holiday to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s award. At the main temple outside the Dalai Lama’s residence a cultural showcase ran from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm with dance and vocal performances from groups representing every aspect of Tibetan life. School children, the Tibetan Women’s Association and groups from every region of Tibet performed to the delight of another large crowd.

During the performance, we recognised and spoke to Venerable Bagdro, who visited Australia some years ago. Venerable Bagdro talked about the significance of the Dalai Lama’s award. “This is such a happy day for the Tibetan people and also the Tibetan Government,” Ven. Bagdro said. “The award has given justice to the Tibetan people. Thanks to President Bush, the US Government and citizens, and Tibet support groups around the world who are helping maintain pressure on the Chinese Government.”

After two days of celebration, I am exhausted. Put to shame by that 5ft grey-haired tug-of-war dynamo - who after dancing during today’s performance, and organising tea and biscuits for a crowd of thousands, then strapped a grandchild to her back for the walk home. Amazing place, amazing people, amazing spirit.

Watch videos of the addresses by the Dalai Lama, President Bush and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel