Students for a Free Tibet : Losar: Because We Are Tibetan

Losar: Because We Are Tibetan

February 14th will mark Losar, the lunar Tibetan New Year, and the beginning of the Iron Tiger Year 2137 - a time for change, hope, and renewal.

Last year, Tibetans worldwide decided to observe Losar as an occasion of mourning for those killed in China's crackdown in 2008 following the Tibetan uprising.

This February 14th, Tibetans will again greet the new year with an air of defiance – many are planning not to celebrate while many others will embrace cultural traditions as an act of subversive resistance. We will speak Tibetan language, wear Tibetan dress, and observe Tibetan customs, thus strengthening our identity and our struggle. Read more.

TAKE ACTION:

If you are Tibetan, please make a Losar pledge to take one action a week - or one simple action a day - that will help strengthen our national identity, promote our freedom struggle, or weaken China's control over Tibet. Click here to make your Losar pledge.

If you are a Tibet supporter, please consider pledging to take a specific action for Tibet in the coming year. Click here to make your Losar pledge.

More actions for Tibet to take in the lead up to and on Losar (February 14th):

Change your profile picture on Facebook, MySpace, Hi5 or other social networking sites to Losar: Because I am Tibetan or Losar: Because I (heart) Tibet.
U.S. President Obama is expected to meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 18. Click here to download printable postcards to send to the President in advance of this meeting.
Send Losar postcards to your elected representatives. Download a printable postcard or contact TenDolkar at tdolkar@studentsforafreetibet.org about ordering postcards.
Send Losar postcards to the Chinese embassy nearest you. Download a printable postcard or contact TenDolkar at tdolkar@studentsforafreetibet.org about ordering postcards.
Record a Losar video to express your solidarity with Tibetans in Tibet. Ask your friends and family members what makes them Tibetan or why they support Tibet. Watch the amazing video from Amdo, Tibet. Please send the link to your video to tdolkar@studentsforafreetibet.org.
Sign the online petition for the release of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and help collect 40,000 signatures by March 10, 2010.
Display a Losar placard, a Tibetan flag or a photo of the Dalai Lama somewhere visible in your home or office window (or on your car, bicycle, or other vehicle) on Losar.

Organize an information booth to help educate people in your community or on campus about Losar. Ask people to sign Losar postcards and to send I (heart) Tibet cards to friends and family instead of Valentine's Day cards.

More Materials & Resources

Watch a moving video from Tibet: "I am Tibetan"

Download Losar postcards to send to President Obama

Download Losar postcards to Chinese Embassy

Download Losar postcards to send to your Elected Representatives

Download a Losar placard

Download a Losar greeting card

Losar: Because We Are Tibetan