Seattle Center's 20th Annual Tibet Fest Celebrates Tradition and Modernity This Weekend

Seattle Center Festal: Tibet Fest, highlights a unique culture that lives in Himalayan arts, music and a craft bazaar. Tibet's ancient and modern history are woven into Tibet Fest through a mix of traditional and contemporary performances, a children's corner, foods and films, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. this weekend,, Aug. 22 - 23, in Seattle Center Armory and on Fisher Roof.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Tibet Fest at Seattle Center. Tashi Khamshitsang, a member of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, will attend as the festival's special guest, and four alumni of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, Sonam Tsering, Sherab Wangmo, Sonam Pelmo and Tashi Tsering, will present traditional Tibetan music and dance. Local Tibetan language and culture students, Trisong Group and Choesum Group will offer a view of contemporary Tibetan performance.

Film screenings include: "Miss Tibet: Beauty in Exile" by Norah Shapiro, "SEEDS" by Tenzin Dazel and Tenzing Dakpa, "Almost Tibetan" by João Inada and "Tainted Freedom" by Khenrab Palden. Two photography exhibitions, "His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama: A Journey for Peace and Secular Ethics" and "America and the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet," celebrate the 80th birthday of the Dalai Lama and his worldwide efforts to spread peace and compassion.

Momos (steamed dumplings with meat or vegetarian fillings), jewelry, clothing, art, rugs and books are among the Tibetan and Himalayan specialties available for purchase in the bazaar. Festival-goers can pose in traditional Tibetan dress for pictures in a free photo booth. A children's corner offers coloring activities.

In 2015, Seattle Center Festál explores the "art of culture" in 23 celebrations on weekends throughout the year. The events, organized by ethnic/cultural organizations in partnership with Seattle Center, make use of indoor and outdoor spaces on the grounds and offer wide-ranging entertainment, food, visual displays and exhibits and hands-on learning opportunities. The annual series forms the bedrock of public programming at Seattle Center, captivating and enlightening festival-goers as they experience the distinct cultures that influence the character and course of our broader community.

Seattle Center Festál is a program of Seattle Center Productions. Admission is free-of-charge. For more information on Tibet Fest and other Seattle Center public programming, click on www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.

Seattle Center Festál 2015 explores the art of culture on weekends throughout the year. The festivals highlight the diverse cultures and common threads of ethnic communities in our region with traditional and contemporary art, music, foods, youth activities, workshops, marketplaces and more. This collection of 23 cultural events is produced with the generous support of Coca-Cola, Alaska Airlines, T-Mobile, KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, Boeing, RealNetworks and 4Culture. Additional support is provided by the City of Seattle and Seattle Center Foundation.