Focus Tibet

Equestrian festival in Lithang allowed for the first time after 11 years - everything only sham?

In the district of Lithang in eastern Tibet, for the first time since 2007 years, a popular rider festival was again permitted. However, it was shortened from originally nine days to three days and took place under heavy security forces. The informants of Radio Free Asia questioned whether it was merely a production to feign "normalcy". While in the past the festival was traditionally organized by volunteers, now the active participants have been paid. Both riders and members of dance groups would have received the equivalent of about 30 francs. "That was just political propaganda, not more," Radio Free Asia quoted a Tibetan in Lithang.

The festival last took place before 11 years. On the 1. August 2007 had had an incident when nomad Runggye Adak took over the microphone. Actually, an official should talk to the 80. Anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army to remember. Runggye Adak demanded the Dalai Lama's return under the applause of the audience. "If we can not invite the Dalai Lama to return, there is no religious freedom and no luck in Tibet," he said, according to Radio Free Asia. He also demanded the release of the Dalai Lama's recognized Panchen Lama incarnation. He then asked a lama who was present why he was part of the "Patriotic Transformation Campaign" in monasteries. When the police intervened and dragged Runggye Adak off the stage, he is said to have emphasized that he had committed nothing illegal, because the Chinese Constitution guarantee religious freedom. Later, in front of the police station, an angry crowd called for his release, and the police fired warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd. Runggye Adak was sentenced to 8 years in prison, severely abused in detention and released in July 2015. The local Tibetan party cadres were dismissed and replaced by Han Chinese.

Radio Free Asia, 7. August 2018 / Translation: Dr. med. Uwe Meya

Picture: Runggye Adak addressing 1. August 2007 (Photo: Radio Free Asia)

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