On 10 March 2026, Tibetans, supporters, and representatives from various organizations gathered at Dam Square in Amsterdam to mark the 67th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan National Uprising. This day commemorates the courage of the Tibetan people who rose up against Chinese occupation in Lhasa on March 10, 1959. Worldwide, this date is an important moment of solidarity and focus on the rights and freedoms of the Tibetan people.
About 150 Tibetans and many bystanders witnessed a special moment on Dam Square. A large banner reading “Tibet Since 1655 in Amsterdam” was unveiled, featuring an impressive 17th-century world map on which Tibet is clearly visible. With the Royal Palace of Amsterdam in the background, this carried strong symbolic significance.
Wangpo Tethong, director of ICT Europe, also explained why this discovery is so remarkable. Tibet groups in the Netherlands found one of the earliest and most detailed European maps depicting Tibet in the Royal Palace. According to the speakers, this shows that Amsterdam’s city leaders were already aware of Tibet’s existence nearly 400 years ago, and that it held a distinct place in the worldview of that era.
The discovery also received significant attention in the Dutch media. RTL 4, among others, covered the story extensively and aired a report featuring interviews with Wangpo Tethong and a Dutch geography expert. The report emphasized that the map clearly depicts Tibet as a separate country, distinct from China.
During the demonstration, several representatives spoke about the historical and current significance of Tibet. On behalf of the International Campaign for Tibet, Wangpo Tethong and Laila Tara Schumann delivered speeches in which they emphasized the importance of international attention to Tibet and the continued advocacy for human rights and justice.
The gathering on Dam Square brought together history and contemporary activism. While the historical map served as a reminder of the long history of international recognition of Tibet, the speakers and participants emphasized the importance of continued solidarity with the Tibetan people and their peaceful struggle for freedom.
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