Have you ever had a consultation with the Tibetan Oracle? They refer to him as the Nechung Oracle. Not at all, I thought. I have.
In the last ten or so years, I have covered Brisbane’s yearly Festival of Tibet, and it was one of the most surreal experiences I have ever had. The Oracle, who formerly attended the celebration, conducts his divinations like a spinning Dervish while dressed in elaborate Tibetan garb.
Although I did seek the Oracle for some advice, most of his prophecies are saved for the Dalai Lama. It’s a custom that has been passed down through the ages. Another opportunity I had was to meet Jetsun Pema, the sister of the Dalia Lama. Additionally, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the leader of Tibet’s thriving democracy-in-exile and a special guest at this year’s festival, which takes place over Thursday and Friday nights (June 22 and 23) at Brisbane Powerhouse, spoke on Wednesday at The National Press Club in Canberra.
His company will make for an interesting evening. You can, too.
Additionally, Tenzin Choegyal and his drangyen (a Tibetan instrument) with his mesmerizing singing will be featured quite a bit. At the annual Tibet House US Annual Benefit Concert, which was started by actor Richard Gere, Glass, and other supporters of the Tibetan cause, Tenzin, a regular at the Woodford Folk Festival (he ushers in the dawn of the New Year with his monk friends), performs alongside Philip Glass, Patti Smith, Laurie Anderson, and other celebrities.
Between The Gap and Carnegie Hall… It’s a really big span.
Tenzin spends the remainder of the year at The Gap with his family, travelling Australia and the rest of the globe while working with a variety of different musicians and advocating for Tibet and Tibetans living in exile.
We get to see a little bit of him at this special musical and cultural event while he’s home this week hosting the festival he established. This year, it’s a bit smaller with just two nights, but maybe after Covid, it can gradually grow once again to include various activities, booths, and the iconic sand mandala from before the epidemic. The event seems to have found its spiritual home at Brisbane Powerhouse.
The festival is in its 15th iteration, and CEO and creative director Kate Gould says she is eager to continue supporting it.
Kate Gould exclaims, “The Brisbane Powerhouse team is thrilled to have the opportunity to host this incredible event within our venue yet again.”
We like sharing talks and works by authors that inspire us, and we’re excited to introduce Brisbane audiences to the unique and exquisite experiences the Festival of Tibet has to offer.
According to Tenzin Choegyal, he is “slowly trying to bring back the Festival of Tibet after Covid”.
“This year marks the festival’s 15-year milestone, an achievement made possible thanks to the many participants and visitors who have come along each year, a strong group of volunteers, and generous support from long-term partner Perfect Potion,” adds Tenzin.
The festival has throughout the years included a distinguished lineup of performers, dignitaries, and lecturers, highlighted significant topics via discussion and debate, highlighted Tibet’s distinctive arts and culture, and raised thousands of dollars for the education of Tibetan refugee children. Be the Ocean is a one-night-only special event starring Tenzin Choegyal and Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra’s distinctive combination of Tibetan melodies and classical strings. Since they haven’t performed together in a while, they are eager to perform both new songs and fan favorites from their album Yeshi Dolma from 2021. Is it terrible news? The event has reached capacity.
what is good news? On Friday night, there is a very unique event for which tickets are still available. A memorable evening with Sikyong Penpa Tsering in Homeland.
Tenzin Choegyal states, “He will speak on a broad range of topics with Sarah Kanowski from ABC Radio’s Conversations about Tibet’s goals for the future, the continuous education of Tibetan youngsters, and remedies to the climate problem. Tenzin, a didgeridoo musician from the First Nations who will be joined on stage by Cy Wood on violin, will provide a unique musical performance to kick off the evening.
Do yourself a favor and visit if you haven’t already, as Molly Meldrum advises.
To help the education of Tibetan refugee children, funds generated are sent to the Tibetan Children’s Village in India.
