Tibet Museum Showcases Photo Exhibition at Auroville

[Source: tibet.net]

Mr Tashi Phuntsok of Tibet Museum explaining the current situation of Tibet to visitors. Photo/The Tibet Museum

AUROVILLE: The Tibet Museum of Department of Information and International Relations, Central Tibetan Administration showcased a four-day photo exhibition from 26 – 29 December at the Tibet Pavilion in Auroville, Tamil Nadu.

Over 700 people including tourists and Aurovillains visited the exhibition. The exhibition featured photographic narratives of Tibetan life in exile and background information on the ongoing wave of self-immolations in Tibet.

The exhibition titled – ‘Tibet’s Journey into Exile’ portrayed the efforts of the elder generation of Tibetans under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in reviving Tibet’s culture, language and religion, to build a sustainable and robust  democratic society in exile.

The exhibition also aimed to thank the Indian government and its people for hosting the Tibetan people for the last fifty years and for their continued support.

The 2nd exhibition titled – ‘The Burning Question: Why are Tibetans Turning into Self-immolations? featured background information about the ongoing wave of self-immolation inside Tibet.

Since 2009, a total of 124 Tibetans have set themselves alight. Sixty years of Chinese occupation and rule have failed to address the grievances of the Tibetan people. The genuine aspiration for basic freedom and the preservation of Tibetan culture and identity has been met with repressive measures, which have led to political repression, economic marginalization, cultural assimilation and environmental destruction in Tibet.

Hence, in the absence of space for conventional form of protests, Tibetans have resorted to the drastic action of setting oneself on fire, believing it is the only way to bring the world’s attention to the plight of the Tibetan people.

The exhibition aims to inform the global community about the current situation inside Tibet and the reason behind Tibetans in Tibet taking drastic step like self-immolations. A documentary movie on Tibet’s history, culture and current situation were also screened during the exhibition.

The Tibet Museum of the Department of Information and International Relations is the official museum of the Central Tibetan Administration and is located near the main temple of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala.

Through photographs, videos and installation, the the Tibet Museum aims to educate and inform Tibetans and non-Tibetans about Tibet’s rich history, culture and current situation inside Tibet and also raise awareness about current situation inside Tibet including gross human rights violation taking place against Tibetans in Tibet. The Tibet Museum has a permanent museum, traveling exhibition and photographic archive section.

Visitors at the photo exhibition conducted by the Tibet Museum at Auroville. Photo/The Tibet Museum