His Holiness the Dalai Lama sent greetings to the board members of the Swiss-Tibetan Friendship Association on their 40th anniversary which was celebrated on Saturday, 23rd Sept in Zurich, Switzerland.

Tenzin Choesang of the Tibet Bureau presented the written message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the President of the association Thomas Buchli during the ceremony.

In the written message, His Holiness commended Switzerland for being one of the largest host countries since the 1960s for the Tibetan communities besides the Indian subcontinent. His Holiness thanked the people and government of Switzerland for being gracious to the Tibetan people.

While acknowledging the remarkable contribution of the Swiss-Tibetan Friendship Association to the cause of Tibet, including support for the preservation and promotion of Tibetan culture and creating awareness of Tibet in Switzerland, His Holiness expressed gratitude to the association for its “support for the non-violent aspirations of the Tibetan people and to the Central Tibetan Administration’s work for the wellbeing” of Tibetan people.

The ceremony was attended by the abbot of the Tibet Institute Rikon, Ven. Thupten Legmen; Tenzin Choesang from Tibet Bureau Geneva, Swiss parliamentarians Hon’ble Fabian Molina and Hon’ble Prisca Birrer Heimo, joined by Hon’ble Mario Fehr head of Department of Security Zurich Canton, Vice president of TCSL amongst other guests and members of the association.

The Swiss-Tibetan Friendship Association was formed in 1983 to stand in solidarity with the Tibetan people and support the just cause of Tibet. The association is one of the oldest Tibet support groups.