Honoring Art, Spirit, and Compassion: “The One Who Spoke with Birds”
As part of the global celebrations for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday and the Year of Compassion 2025, the International Campaign for Tibet – Europe is honored to support and sponsor the exhibition “The One Who Spoke with Birds.” This deeply meaningful event celebrates not only a revered spiritual milestone but also the life and work of Tibetan artist Chungpo Tsering, whose powerful art continues to inspire even after his untimely passing last year.
In collaboration with the Linhart Foundation, the exhibition will feature a stunning collection of Chungpo Tsering’s paintings, to be presented in NGO DEI Gallery in The Hague. Many people might notice Chungpo as a devoted caretaker of Tibet Open House in Prague, where he also served as artist-in-residence. He was much more than an artist—he was a vessel of Tibetan heritage, spiritual reflection, and boundless compassion.
Although it has been a year since his departure, Chungpo’s artistic spirit remains vibrantly alive. We at ICT are proud to continue sharing his legacy and message with the world. His poetry, too, captures the essence of his soul. In his own words:
"In the miraculous imagination, my art is created, a canvas of dreams, a vertical of emotions. No earthly limitations, no boundaries can bind my steps. My studio is wherever I am. Always in the mind of my heart." — From “Nomadic Canvas: a studio of imagination”
Born in the Himalayan village of Tingri, near the sacred mountain Jomolangma (Everest), Chungpo was carried across the border into India as a child refugee. His life’s journey—from a displaced infant to a visionary artist—echoes the resilience and beauty of the Tibetan people.
The exhibition title, “The One Who Spoke with Birds,” symbolizes a deeper truth. In many cultures, to speak the language of birds is to possess a rare insight into the essence of life—a perspective not bound by time or space. Chungpo Tsering embodied this insight, gifted with a vision that allowed him to see the unity of past, present, and future.
This exhibition is also supported by Tibet Open House and NGO DEI, projects initiated by the Linhart Foundation, continuing a shared commitment to cultural and humanitarian expression.
We warmly invite you to join us in honoring Chungpo’s extraordinary life and legacy. Through his art, we are reminded that compassion, imagination, and courage are forces that transcend borders—and endure far beyond a single lifetime.
Date: 4 July – 13 July 2025 (10 days)
Location: NGO DEI Gallery, Westeinde 25, 2512 GS, The Hague, The Netherlands
Artists: Chungpo Tsering, Khenrab Gyatso
Organised by: Tibet Open House, Linhart Foundation, NGO DEI
Sponsored by: International Campaign for Tibet
Brief Schedule:
4 July (Friday)
4:00 pm Gallery Open, Press Preview, Book Sharing, Art Tour
6:00 pm Opening Ceremony, Speeches
7:00 pm Reception and Networking
5 July (Saturday)
12:00 pm - 5:00pm Art Tour and Cooking Workshops (RSVP)
1:00 pm - Gallery Open to Public
6:00 pm - Story Sharing: About Chungpo, the Artist in Exile.
12 July (Saturday)
1:00 pm - Gallery Open to Public
1:00pm, 3:00pm, and 5:00pm Art Tour
Also check out other Arts events in The Hague, Exhibitions in The Hague, Workshops in The Hague.
