Cultural Festival Photo Gallery
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Kham Aid Foundation benefits from first-ever Tibetan fashion show in the US
October 19, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A group of volunteers passionate about Tibetan culture organized a day of Tibetan cultural activities as a benefit for Kham Aid Foundation¨s art conservation program in Kham. The Tibetan Cultural Festival was held on Oct 5, 2008 at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon.
The event was put together by two members of the Ashland Buddhist community, Hilary Stetson and Julie Rogers. They were assisted by dozens of volunteers.
The day featured lectures on the techniques of painting thankas (traditional Tibetan Buddhist paintings on cloth), a film on the Gesar epic which was shot in Tibet, and music by the performing troupe Chaksampa. Tibetan food and tea were served and many vendors participated by selling Tibetan-themed products. Representatives from several local Buddhist organizations were on hand to talk to festival-goers about Tibetan religious traditions.
Kham Aid President Pam Logan was the key-note speaker, talking about the organization¨s efforts to preserve the paintings at Trupa Lhakhang temple in Pusarong Village.
But the most unique presentation of the day was undoubtedly the Tibetan fashion show, the first ever held in North America. Tibetan costumes, painstakingly assembled from components that were either home-made, brought from overseas, or specially commissioned, were provided by members of the Chaksampa troupe and supplemented by items from local volunteers.
Shown were the clothing of people from Kham, Amdo, U-Tsang (central Tibet), including the elaborate garb worn by the aristocracy and the practical yet handsome dress of the nomads. Children¨s clothing was also presented.
Thanks to the models, many of whom endured very complicated dressing rituals in order to don the Tibetan outfits and wear them in the most authentic way possible. The models were Phillip Thomas, Susanne Ducharme, Naomi Salisbury, Earl Sterling, Tatiana Diakoff, Malcom T. Contor with son Che and daughter Mariposa, Tendar (little boy), Theresa (little girl), WangChoe T Angke, and Doug Col.
The event raised $3,000 and a lot of awareness about the richness of Tibetan culture and the importance of preserving it. Kham Aid Foundation wishes to thank all of the volunteers whose hard work made it possible.