On the evening of Monday, February 23, the Tibetan Studies Student Association filled the atrium with a flourish of good tidings and high spirits, furnishing students’ experience with an assortment of Tibetan dumplings and a medley of traditional Tibetan songs and dances for attendees to enjoy.
With the Chinese and Tibetan lunisolar calendars marking the start of the Year of the Fire Horse on February 17, 2026, ths year represents a calendar cycle last seen in 1966. Among the yearly celebrations taking place in the Atrium of the Global and International Studies Building, Tibetan Losar always strikes a special note across the Hamilton Lugar School, offering students from all disciplines and backgrounds a unique glimpse into an intricate part of Tibetan history, culture, and custom.
The evening’s festivities began with a word of thanks and recognition of Losar’s importance to the local Bloomington Tibetan community from Dr. Eveline Washul, professor of Central Eurasian Studies and Anthropology with affiliations in East Asian Languages and Cultures and Anthropology. Dr. Washul accented her remarks by carrying on a Central Eurasian Studies tradition of celebrating the Tibetan New Year by noting historical events in each year of the fire horse to the present-day. Gedun Rabsal, Senior Lecturer of Tibetan Language and Culture, then gave remarks and introduced Minyak Rinpoche, director of the Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center, and Tenpa Phuntsok, the Center’s manager, who offered a recitation as heartfelt vows for positive blessings on behalf of attendees before enjoying noodles, tea, and dumplings. IU’s Tibetan community members then gathered for traditional dancing together with students and staff members, joining in a living celebration of goodwill, reflection, and togetherness.
Tibetan Losar serves as an occasion for purifying negativity and misfortune from the past year while welcoming a new year with positive energy and reflection while strengthening community bonds through celebration. The IAUNRC was pleased to have collaborated with the Tibetan Studies Student Association, the Departments of East Asian Languages and Cultures and Central Eurasian Studies, the East Asian Studies Center, and the Center for the Study of Global Change to make this event possible.