TCV YARKYI 2006
Report by Tsultim Palden
Pictures by Ugyen Norbu
“This is the best party I have been to” said one participant on the Internet. “So many talented artists lined up one after another. It is wonderful” says an elderly Tibetan couple who came from Boston, when I asked them how the show was.
Yarkyi 2006 was organized by the TCV Alumni Association (TCVAA) Canada to raise funds for the scholarship of needy Tibetan children and support the visit of Kasur Jetsun Pema la to Toronto in 2007. The Executive Members of TCVAA Canada held several meetings to discuss the logistics of the Yarkyi.
The event was celebrated on 23rd September. All volunteers and executive members started the day at 10AM by decorating the hall; some began work in the kitchen, a group went to arrange the sound system and some took care of the shopping of food and drinks. People started coming to the venue around 2:30PM, even though the show was to officially start at 3:00PM.
The program started with a welcome speech from Tsultrim Palden, the President of TCVAA Canada.
TCVAA President Mr. Tsultim Palden
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He thanked the guests, who include President of the Tibetan Women’s Association of Toronto, Vice-President of Canadian Tibetan Association of Ontario and Vice-President of Tibetan Youth Congress Toronto. The hall was jam packed. He thanked the audience for coming in large numbers. He gave a brief history of the Association and why it was formed.
The core message was that in 2004 Jetsun Pema la gave a talk to ex-TCVian in New York, where she pointed out that these days many foreign sponsors of Tibetan school-going children are asking a new question: What are the Tibetans in foreign countries contributing towards the scholarship of Tibetan children? Therefore, she requested the ex-TCVians in New York to raise funds towards this end. The President said that in keeping with this recommendation, one of the main objectives of the Association is to reach back to the community in exile.
All the executive members of TCVAA Canada were elected by ex-TCVians at the General Body meeting held in November 2005. He said that when the Association was first formed, there was no fund, and so all executive members put forward $50 each as seed money. He informed the public that the Association will distribute funds in December each year to keep the sponsorship project moving forward. All ex-TCVians and the general public can access information about the undertakings of the Association from the new website www.tcvaa.ca
The other main reasons behind organizing the Yarkyi is to provide a forum for talented Tibetans to show case their talents, encourage youngsters to develop interest in Tibetan culture and tradition and above all to break the work and work routine by providing a forum for Tibetans to enjoy and have fun.
Singer Lo Tsetan
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The program was inaugurated with the song “Ama Jetsun Pema” by Tsering (ex-TCVian), followed by songs from Phayul Bhu, Ex-TIPA members Jamyang Choeden (Jack), Lobsang Gyatso, and Tsetan Lhundup, special item from Migmar’s Tibetan girls dranyen group and many other artists joined in.
People were energized by the western dance number by Kunga, Different entertainment items were punctuated with hilarious jokes from Kalsang Dorjee
The afternoon show ended with the song Shonu Dagmey by rising Tibetan singer Lobsang Tsetan (ex-TCVian).
TCVAA Cultural Secy Kalsang Dorjee (Amji la) thanked all the artists, guests and the volunteers on behalf of the Association. President offered thank you scarves to the artists. This was followed by Tibetan gorshey and then western dance into the wee hours. We finally packed up around 4AM.
The highlight of the day was that everybody had a cheerful time. We want to thank all the people who came for the show. Many thanks to all the executive members of the Association who put in long hours of work and the dedicated volunteers, without whose help we wouldn’t have made it. We guarantee that the next Yarkyi 2007 will be better and a bigger one. Thank you everybody!! |
TCV Annual Party 2007
A sumptuous and delicious dinner was served, including momo, chicken tandoori, alu khatsa, meet curry to name a few. President informed members that the labour and cost for the food was fully borne by the executive members themselves. 
