Dalai Lama Receives Jan Langos Award And Speaks On Compassion

September 9th 2009

Bratislava, Slovakia, 9 September 2009 - His Holiness the Dalai Lama today received International Jan Langos Award. In his acceptance address, His Holiness thanked the Jan Langos Foundation for presenting the award to him.

'It was a great honour to receive the award of Jan Langos, also a freedom fighter who followed non-violence', said His Holiness.  'This award means a lot to me.' His Holiness said he considers the award "new encouragement" for his efforts to find a "mutually agreeable solution" for China and Tibet. His Holiness also spoke our promotion of human value and religious harmony.

As His Holiness the Dalai Lama was presented the award, the audience applauded continuously and gave a standing ovation. The award is in memory of the prominent former Slovak dissident Mr. Jan Langos who challenged communism and totalitarian regime in the former Czechoslovakia.

The Jan Langos Foundation said, "the International Jan Langos Award is bestowed on His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in recognition of his lifelong resistance against oppressive regime in China. Furthermore, the Foundation wants to recognise his consistent and non-violent struggle for human rights and promoting the principles of love, tolerance and compassion worldwide."

Earlier in the morning, the Lord Mayor Andrej Durkovsk received His Holiness in front of the City Hall. The Mayor said, 'your visit here in Bratislava is very important and special not only to me but to the people of Bratislava.'

Then His Holiness the Dalai Lama opened an exhibition on Tibet in the city centre. This exhibition will be open for six months. While addressing the members of the press, His Holiness said that media had a very important role to play in promoting human value and religious harmony.

After lunch, the Vice-Chairman of the Slovakian Parliament and leaders of the four Opposition Parties called on His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the hotel. One of the Opposition Party leaders said they would soon setup a Tibet Group within the Slovakian Parliament. His Holiness thanked them for their support.

In the afternoon, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a public talk on Compassion. Over 4000 people filled the Pasienky sports indoor stadium in Bratislava.

In all the four public engagements today and when His Holiness returned to the hotel from the public talk, large number of people turned out to greeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama. As a sign of appreciation and solidarity they clapped their hands.

Tomorrow, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will travel to Prague, the capital city of Czech Republic. His Holiness will address an international conference on Peace, Democracy and Human Rights in Asia on 11 September.

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