Letter of Congratulation from Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General fo Canada

I am pleased to welcome everyone in attendance at Tibet Cultural Splendor, a full week of beautiful arts and cultural presentations, hosted by the Chinese community organizations of Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver.

At the dawn of Tibetan culture thousands of years ago, six nomadic tribes roamed the "Land Surrounded by Snow Mountains." Throughout Tibet's dynamic history, the spirit of the people flourished, manifesting itself in wonderful music, art, dance and spiritual customs.

China Tibet Cultural Week is a wonderful opportunity for Canadians to become more familiar with Tibetan traditions, with issues facing people of Tibetan lineage, with the unique perspectivies they have of the natural and social world, and the ways in which they culturally enhance their adopted countries. Canada is very fortunate to have Tibet's descendants of the Se, Mu, Dong. Tong, Dru and Ra tribes among its ancestors.

I would like to extend my warmest regards to the organizers and attendees of Tibet Cultural Spelndor and my best wishes for an exciting week of celebration.

Adrienne Clarkson
September 2002