"Faraway Home: Tibetans in Minnesota" happening this weekend and celebrating the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama

"Over 4,000 people live here in the state," says John Crippen of the Hennepin History Museum
A view of the two two golden deer flanking a Dharma wheel at Drepung Monastery located at the foot of Mount Gephel near Lhasa, Tibet. Minnesota is home to a significant population of Tibetans.
A view of the two two golden deer flanking a Dharma wheel at Drepung Monastery located at the foot of Mount Gephel near Lhasa, Tibet. Minnesota is home to a significant population of Tibetans. Photo credit (Getty Images / Ivica Gulija)

It's called "Faraway Home: Tibetans in Minnesota" and this weekend, there will be a party to celebrate that community and a very special birthday for Tibetans.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to meditate? Or been curious about Buddhism? Or Tibet?

This weekend, you will have a chance to get to know more about the culture of people.

"Many of us are aware of the Tibetan plight since the 1950s when China invaded Tibet, but we haven't realized that it's such a large group here," says John Crippen, executive director of the Hennepin County History Museum.

Crippen says despite many obstacles the community has grown substantially in Minnesota.

"In those first couple of years, 165 Tibetans resettled into Minnesota," says Crippen. "That group has now grown to over 4,000 people that live here in the state."

The celebration of the Tibetan community in Minnesota will also mark the 90th birthday this month of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.

The event is free and open to the public. It starts at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Hennepin County History Museum.

It'll offer people a chance to learn more about the Tibetan culture as well.

"We're going to be doing some demonstrations of Tibetan Buddhist chanting and meditation," explains Crippen.

The program will conclude with a ceremony over the prayer flags that have been gracing the museum grounds since July 2023.

The full Tibetan exhibit is scheduled to close on August 16.

Featured Image Photo Credit: (Getty Images / Ivica Gulija)