Bern [Switzerland], November 25 (ANI): Tibetan youth activists staged an independent light projection in Bern after organizers of the renowned Rendez-vous Bundesplatz show removed a planned Tibet segment under political pressure. The decision, reportedly influenced by Swiss parliamentary authorities who deemed the imagery “too political,” has drawn strong criticism from Tibetan communities and human rights advocates, according to Phayul.
The protest, led by the Tibetan Youth Association in Europe (TYAE), accused Swiss institutions of yielding to Chinese pressure and engaging in self-censorship. On the final night of the show, which concluded on November 22, the group projected the words “STOPP ZENSUR” (“Stop Censorship”) across a large white screen. The projection also featured a red hand with yellow stars, symbolizing China’s flag, silencing a human face—an image described as a stark illustration of China’s censorship and repression.
TYAE said the removal of the Tibet segment demonstrated how deeply China’s influence has permeated even liberal European democracies. “When even the beauty of Tibet’s landscape cannot be shown, it proves that Switzerland fears China’s reaction more than it values free expression,” the group stated. Switzerland is home to one of Europe’s largest Tibetan exile populations, yet activists say the country increasingly avoids public references to Tibet in an effort to maintain political neutrality toward China.
The 15th edition of the Rendez-vous Bundesplatz light show, titled Voyage, was originally slated to include a non-political visual sequence showcasing Tibet’s natural scenery. However, before its launch, the Administrative Delegation of Parliamentary Services intervened, instructing its removal on the grounds that Tibet is tied to “political questions.” The scene was replaced with an image of a Thai Buddha. The show’s artistic director, Brigitte Roux, complied with the directive “without objection,” as noted by Phayul.
Swiss politician Fabian Molina condemned the decision as “a surrender to China,” while Basel University scholar Ralph Weber described it as “preemptive obedience.” TYAE said its symbolic protest was intended to restore Tibet’s visibility. “Erasing Tibet to avoid offending Beijing,” the group said, “shows that even Switzerland is not immune to China’s tightening grip on global free expression,” according to Phayul.
About The Author
