China's Tibetan Culture Week, the first of its kind ever held on the European continent, kicked off here on Monday evening at a cultural center.

The cultural festival presents a wide variety of programs depicting the political, social, cultural and religious developments in China's Tibet Autonomous Region over the past centuries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Elly Plooij-van Gorsel, president of the European Parliament's delegation for relations with the People's Republic of China, highly praised the importance of this cultural event, saying "The European Parliament follows with great interest current political, economic and cultural developments in Tibet."

Recalling her recent visit to China's Tibet Autonomous Region two months ago, she described it as an opportunity enabling her and her colleagues to gain "some further insight into " the different aspects of the rich Tibetan culture.

Vice-Chairman of China's International Culture Association Li Gang said China's Tibet is a distant land shrouded in mystery in the eyes of many foreigners, but regrettably few of them have everbeen to Tibet due to difficult geographic and natural conditions.

The culture week will serve as a show window through which people can gain a better and more comprehensive understanding of Tibetan culture, Li said.

Chinese Ambassador to Belgium Guan Chengyuan hailed this culture week as a good opportunity for European friends to have direct contact with Tibetan culture, which will definitely deepen friendship between European countries and China.

The culture week will include such activities as photo and Thangka exhibitions, films on Tibetan history and culture, performances by the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Tibet Autonomous Region as well as exchange of expertise between Tibetanand European scholars.

( People's Daily September 10, 2002)