A 100-foot-high hot air balloon depicting the Tibetan national flag took part in the 37th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, Europe’s largest balloon event, held on August 6 – 9 at Bristol in England. The idea for the Tibet Balloon was inspired by the passion and expertise of two people with an interest in both hot air ballooning and the issues facing the Tibetan people: Paul Dopson, 45, a commercial hot air balloon pilot and his wife Heaven Crawley, 44, also a hot air balloon pilot, and a social worker who has worked with refugees for more than two decades. They worked closely with the Office of Tibet and the Tibetan Community in Britain.
100ft High Tibet Balloon
Photo: theguardian.com
The Tibet Balloon, nicknamed Tashi, has flown around the world at a series of events attracting a large number of audiences and significant media coverage. It flew at events in Spain, France, Italy and the UK. According to their website www.tibetballoon.org.uk, they are going to continue the journey to Switzerland and the United States.
However since the launch of the balloon at Sakya Tashi Ling Monastery near Barcelona in Spain on July 11, the Chinese authorities are making every effort to stop the participation of the Tibet Balloon in these international events. According to the Guardian, “mysterious” individuals purporting to be Chinese embassy officials have made many attempts to ground the balloon across Europe. The fiesta’s organising committee received an email, claiming to be from the political section of the Chinese embassy in the UK, urging the committee to consider the issue seriously. When the Guardian requested a comment, the Chinese embassy did not respond.
Paul Dopsonand Heaven Crawley told the Guardian that the balloon bore no text, no political message, was simply a depiction of the Tibet flag and was being flown to symbolise peace and compassion. They hope it will draw attention to Tibetan issues and raise funds for charities working to support the cause of Tibet.
Print
Email