WEST COAST TRUNKAR COLORADO-2025

About West Coast Picnic / Trunkar

The West Coast Picnic began to provide an opportunity for Tibetans living as refugees in the U.S. and Canada to congregate and celebrate His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s Birthday together. In 1992, Tibetans began immigrating to the United States in larger numbers with the US Congress passing the 1990 Immigration Act, which allowed 1,000 Tibetans to immigrate to the United States.  This was the result of the His Holiness’ vision and the work of the Tibetan government in-exile at the time.  Tibetan refugees were scattered among host cities throughout the United States, settling wherever non-profits and states provided a network of support, services, and assistance. Some of the host cities were able to accommodate only a couple of Tibetans, while other cities with a more robust social service network were able to host a few hundred. Suffice it to say, with the challenges of moving to a new country, from learning the language, culture, and bureaucracy; there weren’t many opportunities to gather and celebrate Tibetan holidays, including one of the most important being the birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

The West Coast Picnic began in 1995 in Seattle and has been held yearly around His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s birthday. It has been an event hosted by one of seven major Tibetan settlements in the US and Canada (Utah, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver B.C, and Colorado), marked by sports competitions, elocution & debate in the Tibetan language, cultural song, and dance competitions. It has been a wonderful occasion for Tibetans around the U.S. to gather and meet one another annually with the common goal of preserving the Tibetan language and culture in brother and sisterhood.

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The next West Coast Trunkar, hosted by the Tibetan Association of Colorado, promises to be an extraordinary event, especially as we celebrate the 90th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2025. This milestone offers a unique opportunity for all Tibetans to come together in a spirit of unity and gratitude. We invite Tibetans from West Coast associations, as well as those from the East Coast, Canada, and European countries, to join us for this special occasion. The event will feature cultural competitions, a soccer tournament, a basketball tournament, an elocution contest, and a golf tournament. It’s a wonderful chance to connect, showcase our talents, and honor our shared heritage.

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Colorado’s stunning landscapes and vibrant communities will provide a beautiful backdrop for this celebration. From the majestic Rocky Mountains to the lively city of Denver, there’s so much to explore. We look forward to gathering together to commemorate this significant moment in our history and strengthen the bonds of our Tibetan community. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable celebration!