
history
Minnesota Madison Chicago
The Midwest Trungkar Meet began to provide an opportunity for Tibetans living as refugees in the U.S. and Canada to congregate and celebrate His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s Birthday together.
Host
- 2025 Madison
- 2024 Chicago
- 2023 Minnesota
- 2022 - COVID cancellation
- 2021 - COVID cancellation
- 2020 - COVID cancellation
- 2019 Madison
Message from WTA president
Dear Friends and Members of the Tibetan Community across North America
It is with great joy and reverence that I invite you to join us for the Midwest Gotoen Festival, a momentous celebration honoring the 90th birthday of our beloved leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama from July 3-6, 2025.
It is also our show of solidarity and support to the Central Tibetan Administration’s decision to dedicate the year to express gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, whose lifelong dedication to peace, compassion and the preservation of Tibetan culture inspire millions around the world.
This special gathering will be a time of unity, community spirit as we gather to honour our beloved leader, our distinct culture and our political resilience.
The convergence of His Holiness's 90th birthday this year with Independence Day weekend provides us with a unique opportunity to celebrate both freedom and compassion – values that are deeply cherished by both Tibetans and Americans.
We are thrilled to welcome participants from Canada, various parts of the United States and beyond, to join us for this historic occasion. Our three-day festival will feature a rich tapestry of cultural and sporting events that showcase our unique heritage and community spirit.
This festival represents not just a birthday celebration, but a testament to our resilience as a community and our commitment to preserving our rich cultural heritage in exile.
Chikyap Dhonpa
President
Wisconsin Tibetan Association