After months of speculation, the Dalai Lama has confirmed he will make an appearance at the Glastonbury Festival this weekend.

The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader will speak on Sunday where he will promote his message of “compassion, non-violence and the oneness of humanity”, his representatives said.

Emily Eavis, coorganiser of the festival and daughter of founder Michael Eavis, said it was a “special moment” for the festival, which opened its gates yesterday.

“We’re honoured to welcome the Dalai Lama to Glastonbury 2015,” she said.

“He will be talking in the Green Fields and exploring the farm this Sunday as part of his trip to the UK. What a special moment for the Festival.”

Rumours that the Nobel Peace Prize laureate would talk at the festival emerged in January after a diary entry about the visit reportedly appeared on his website but was swiftly removed.

He will speak at the festival’s Green Field, a 60-acre site billed as an area of peaceful retreat, as part of a four day visit to the UK during which he will also attend the Buddhist Community Centre UK in Aldershot.

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