The Shoton Festival, dating back to the 11th century, was originally a religious occasion in Lhasa, the capital of southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. During the festival, local people always offer yogurt to monks who just finish their meditation retreats. Since the 17th century, the festival has become a celebration featuring both religious rituals and civil entertainment. It is now regarded as one of the most important festivals on the Tibetan calendar.

During the seven-day Shoton Festival this year, there will be multiple displays of Tibetan culture, including the “Sunning of the Buddha”, Tibetan opera performances and Tibetan music seminar.

a.The Sunning of the Buddha

Date: Aug.14; morning

Place: Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery

0n the morning of 14th, August, the sunning of the Buddha will be hosted in the Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery.  Situated at the foot of Mt. Gambo Utse, the Drepung Monastery, with a history of 600 years, is one of the most important monasteries in Tibetan Buddhism. The Shoton Festival originated in the monastery more than 1,000 years ago. Besides, in 2013, the regional government spent more than 14 million yuan (2.28 million U.S. dollars) to widen roads leading to the monastery in order to make transport more safe and convenient.

b.Tibetan opera performances

Date: Aug.14-20

Place: NorbuLingka, Dzongyablukhang Park

The Tibetan opera performances will be staged at the Norbu Lingka Park and Dzongyablukhang Park during the celebration. With stories mainly based on folklore and Buddhist scripture, the 600-year-old Tibetan opera incorporates the Tibetan literature, music, dance, painting and acrobatics. Tibetan operas used to be performed exclusively in open spaces in villages, farms and nobles' yards on festive occasions, with the only instruments being drums and cymbals. But in modern times, many troupes have turned to stages and adopted modern technology to create new visual and acoustic effects.This art has long been a significant part of the Shoton Festival and was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2009.

In the course of performance, performers, accompanied by lively drum beats, is wearing masks painted with elaborate patterns. The viewers, surrounding the stage, most of whom were Tibetans, always sit on their own rugs or stools and drink homemade butter tea and highland barley wine while watching performances by different troupes.

c.Tibetan music seminar

Date: Aug.15-16

Place: To be confirmed

Lasting two days starting from the 15th of August, the second Tibetan music seminar will give music lovers a fantastic show. Tibetan music has its own distinguished rhythm and melody which express and explore human sentiments, deep love and a reputation for having the power to “purify people’s hearts”.