This annual event will start at Westminster Cathedral's piazza with traditional Tibetan performances and Tibetan children releasing balloons to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 70th birthday.

Tibetan Community Dance Group will perform a colourful dance from Amdo, Tibet's eastern province and monks from Tashi Lhunpo monastery will perform Shanag (Black Hat Dance).

The Black Hat Dance, with its beautiful costumes, owes its origins to the assassination of a King in central Tibet. King Lang Dharma (836-843) had instituted a persecution of Buddhism. Lhalong Pedor, dressed in a black cloak with a white lining. Smearing his white horse with charcoal and hiding a bow and arrow in the sleeves of his cloak, he rode to Lhasa to dance before the King. In the middle of the dance, he drew out his bow and shot an arrow through the King's heart. In the confusion, he escaped to his horse, made it swim through a river, washing away the charcoal, and reversed his black cloak and so escaped unrecognised.

Then the Tashi Lhunpo monks will lead the procession from the piazza into the Westminster Cathedral Hall carrying a portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama accompanied by the music of Dungchen (long horns), Gyangling (oboes), the Dhamaru (a small hand-held drum) and the Drilbu (bell).

Once inside the hall, monks and members of the Tibetan Community in Britain will recite prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's long life. This will be followed by religious dance by the monks and songs and dances by the Tibetan Community Dance Group.

There will be various Tibetan stalls selling books, Tibetan prayer flags and various items made by Tibetans in India and Nepal as well as a food stall selling Tibetan momos and drinks.

The annual celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday is jointly organized by the Office of Tibet, the Tibetan Community in Britain and the Tibet Society.

Venue: Westminster Cathedral Hall
Ambrosden Avenue
London SW1

Time: 2.30pm till 5.30pm
Nearest Tube Station: Victoria or St. James’ Park

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