In the weeks leading up to the Beijing Olympics, protesters have been raising awareness of the plight of the Tibetans with a series of demonstrations around the world.
Now Yatton poet Tony Walton is organising a concert to raise funds for the Tibet Relief Fund, a charity working in India and Nepal with Tibetans who have fled the increasingly difficult circumstances in their homeland as China tightens its grip.
“It’s shocking to know that, in the capital, Lhasa, Tibetan is now the second language, and Tibetan children are being taught in Chinese,” said Mr Walton, whose Tigerfish Productions is presenting Sing Out! 3 at Aymestrey Village Hall at 8pm on Saturday, September 6. “It’s illegal to have a picture of the Dalai Lama, and the Tibetan flag is banned.”
The poet, who runs Aymestrey Poetry Monthly group, will be reading poems he has written about the situation in Tibet and China, as well as some more light-hearted pieces. Topping the bill will be Presteigne folk-singer and guitarist Benji Kirkpatrick, making a rare appearance in this area away from his busy touring and recording schedule.
An invitation to “raise the Tibetan flag” as the world watches the Olympics comes from the Tibet Relief Fund. Stating that Tibet is “still in lockdown”, the website points out that “216 people have been killed as a result of taking part in recent demonstrations, and thousands are in detention”.
Tibet Relief Fund was founded in 1960 to provide valuable support in the form of food, clothing and medical aid to Tibetan refugees following the uprising in Lhasa when thousands crossed the Himalayas on foot, following the Dalai Lama into exile.
Mr Walton’s wife, artist Bronte Woodruff, is donating one of her paintings as first prize in a raffle for the fund, which will be part of the Sing Out! 3 evening. The event will include Hereford close-harmony guitar duo Jake & Rob, and there will be a licensed bar.
lTickets at £8 (concessions £6) can be reserved on 01568 770177.
