To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Tibet Society of South Africa and the 70th birthday on July 6 of Tibet's exiled leader, the Dalai Lama, the largest Tibetan cultural event to ever take place in Africa will be held on July 17 at The Durban Jewish Centre.

The festival will include the creation of a Tibetan Sand Mandala by Tibetan monks as well as Tibetan dancing and music and a Tibetan Thangka art exhibition. Besides films and talks on Tibet there will be various stalls.

Renato Palmi of the Tibet Society of South Africa states: "This will be an ideal opportunity for the public to interact with exiled Tibetans and have a glimpse of their unique culture that is under threat in Chinese-occupied Tibet."

The day starts at 08h30 with an opening ceremony by monks. Entrance fee R20. More information from Jill on 031 202 7577 or visit www.tibet.org.za