Tibetans in France mark Identity Preservation Week with march, cultural events
Synopsis
More than 1,000 Tibetans marched from Place Pasdeloup to Place de la Bastille in Paris on 27 September, capping a week of cultural and religious events across France. The observance, backed by the Central Tibetan Administration, signals a coordinated diaspora push to keep Tibetan identity alive — in classrooms, on streets, and on social media — far from the Tibetan plateau.
Key Takeaways
Tibetan communities in France observed Tibetan National Identity Preservation Week from 21 to 27 September .
A Sang-sol ceremony at Pagode de Vincennes on 23 September drew around 400 people for Lhakar celebrations.
Over 1,000 participants joined a peace march from Place Pasdeloup to Place de la Bastille in Paris on 27 September , organised by six Tibetan organisations .
CTA President Penpa Tsering's message was read out by Bureau du Tibet Coordinator Thupten Tsering at the march's conclusion.
The Office of Tibet in Paris urged Tibetans to use the Tibetan language and wear traditional dress in everyday settings and on social media.
Tibetan communities and organisations across France observed Tibetan National Identity Preservation Week from 21 to 27 September, holding a series of cultural, religious, and awareness events aimed at safeguarding Tibetan language, culture, religion, and traditions for present and future generations. The week-long observance was coordinated across multiple cities, with the largest gatherings concentrated in Paris.
Key Events During the Week
On 23 September, a Sang-sol (incense offering) ceremony was held at the Pagode de Vincennes, attended by monks and local community members. Around 400 people gathered to mark Lhakar — a weekly observance of Tibetan identity — by sharing traditional Tibetan food, donning regional attire, and participating in games including tug-of-war, traditional folk games, and Gorshey (a traditional circle dance), according to a statement released by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).
Weekend schools also incorporated Tibetan cultural content during the fourth week of September, with students introduced to subjects covering Tibetan culture, Buddhism, and the life story of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
Over 1,000 Join Paris Peace March
The week culminated on 27 September with a peace and cultural awareness march through central Paris, drawing over 1,000 participants dressed in traditional attire representing their respective regions of Tibet. The march proceeded from Place Pasdeloup to Place de la Bastille and was jointly organised by six Tibetan organisations based in Paris.
At the conclusion of the march, Pema Rinchen, President of the Tibetan Community in France, addressed the gathering and outlined the objectives of the event. Thupten Tsering, Coordinator of the Bureau du Tibet in Paris, read out a message from Central Tibetan Administration President Penpa Tsering, emphasising the significance of designating the fourth week of September as Tibetan Identity Preservation Week. The programme also featured a cultural exhibition and a prayer session.
Call to Preserve Identity in Daily Life
The Office of Tibet in Paris urged Tibetans living in France to actively incorporate their heritage into daily routines — using the Tibetan language, consuming traditional Tibetan food, and wearing traditional dress at work, school, and other activities. The office additionally called on Tibetans to leverage social media and digital platforms to raise global awareness of Tibet's cultural heritage, traditions, and identity.
Broader Significance
This comes amid ongoing international concern over the preservation of Tibetan cultural and religious identity, with diaspora communities in Europe increasingly taking on the role of cultural custodians. The CTA, which administers Tibetan affairs in exile from Dharamshala, India, has in recent years formalised such observances to sustain cultural continuity across generations living outside Tibet. The France events represent one of the larger diaspora-led observances of this week globally, reflecting a growing network of Tibetan organisations in Western Europe working in coordination with the CTA.
Point of View
000 participants from six organisations — points to a diaspora that is increasingly organised and politically self-aware, not merely ceremonial. What mainstream coverage tends to miss is the structural role the Central Tibetan Administration plays in choreographing these events globally: this is soft-power statecraft by a government-in-exile, using culture as the primary instrument. The push to take Tibetan identity into workplaces and schools, rather than confining it to community halls, marks a generational shift in strategy. Whether it translates into sustained political pressure on governments in Europe remains the open question.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tibetan National Identity Preservation Week?
Tibetan National Identity Preservation Week is an annual observance held during the fourth week of September, designated by the Central Tibetan Administration to promote and safeguard Tibetan language, culture, religion, and traditions. In 2024, it was observed from 21 to 27 September, with events held across France and other diaspora communities worldwide.
What events took place in France during the week?
Key events included a Sang-sol incense offering at the Pagode de Vincennes on 23 September attended by around 400 people, cultural and Buddhist education sessions at weekend schools, and a peace march through Paris on 27 September that drew over 1,000 participants. The week also featured a cultural exhibition and prayer session.
Who organised the Paris march and who spoke at it?
The 27 September march was jointly organised by six Tibetan organisations in Paris. Tibetan Community in France President Pema Rinchen addressed the gathering, and Bureau du Tibet Coordinator Thupten Tsering read out a message from CTA President Penpa Tsering.
What did the Office of Tibet urge Tibetans in France to do?
The Office of Tibet in Paris urged Tibetans to use the Tibetan language, eat traditional Tibetan food, and wear traditional dress in everyday settings including work and school. It also called on them to use social media to share information about Tibetan culture and identity with a global audience.
Why do Tibetan diaspora communities hold such events?
Tibetan diaspora communities, coordinated by the Central Tibetan Administration based in Dharamshala, India, hold these events to sustain cultural and linguistic continuity among Tibetans living outside Tibet. The observances are part of a broader effort to ensure that younger generations maintain their heritage amid ongoing international concern over cultural preservation inside Tibet.
