Tibet Museum Showcases Exhibition titled ‘Lithang, Kham: The Cradle of the Tibetan Resistance’

[Source:tibet.net]

Secretary Sonam Norbu Dagpo, Department of Information & International Relations, CTA inaugurates photo exhibition titled, ‘Lithang, Kham: The Cradle of the Tibetan Resistance’ at Tibet Museum, 22 March 2018. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR

Secretary Sonam Norbu Dagpo, Department of Information & International Relations, CTA inaugurates photo exhibition titled, ‘Lithang, Kham: The Cradle of the Tibetan Resistance’ at Tibet Museum, 22 March 2018. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR

DHARAMSHALA: The Tibet Museum of Department of Information & International Relations, CTA showcased an exhibition titled ‘Lithang, Kham: The Cradle of the Tibetan Resistance’ here at the Museum, near Tsuglagkhang.

The exhibition features 19 photos captured in Lithang, Kham by French-Italian filmmaker, Sandra Dolani during her six-time visit to Tibet.

Sandra Dolani, a filmmaker based in Rome, has travelled to Tibet six times and four to Lithang. Her visit to Tibet was part of a project titled the Project One, through which she captures resistance and compassion in every part of the world.

“This is a part of the main project, which I call the Project One. It is capturing about compassion and resistance everywhere in the world. It starts with three films about Tibet and Tibetan people that’s why I am here with this photo exhibition about Lithang, Kham the cradle of Tibetan resistance,” Sandra said. This is her first exhibition in Dharamshala.

Secretary Sonam Norbu Dagpo, Secretary (Equivalent) Tenzin Dhardon Sharling and Director Tashi Phuntsok, Tibet Museum with Filmmaker Sandra Dolani at the exhibition, 22 March 2018. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR

Secretary Sonam Norbu Dagpo, Secretary (Equivalent) Tenzin Dhardon Sharling and Director Tashi Phuntsok, Tibet Museum with Filmmaker Sandra Dolani at the exhibition, 22 March 2018. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR

Secretary Sonam Norbu Dagpo, Department of Information & International Relations, CTA inaugurated the exhibition.

“The exhibition ‘Lithang, Kham: The Cradle of the Tibetan Resistance’ shines a light on the scale of Chinese investment in Tibet to sinicise Tibetan way of life, its systematic violation of the freedom and rights of Tibetan people. It depicts the reality inside Tibet and to have a non-Tibetan bear witness to the situation and testify it to the world through these photos furthers our voice for the truthful cause of Tibet,” said Secretary Sonam Norbu Dagpo, Department of Information and International Relations, CTA.

Filmmaker Dolani has picked 19 frames from hundreds that she has shot in her various visits to Tibet from 2007 to 2016. “I saw Lithang when it was still a vintage typical Tibetan town; I saw it when the spirit of resistance was still alive. However, after 2008, the town inexorably changed, increasing the number of shops, the number of blocks, streets, pavements made of concrete and number of electrical poles, hospitals..”

However, with all the new infrastructure, she said Lithang is turned into “a Chinese town in the middle of Kham, Tibet”.

“An example is stamped in my memories; a little boy, a Tibetan, around 6 years old, entered into a shop with some coins in his hands, for buying a snack after school. As soon as he entered the shop, another little boy, maybe 10 years old, a Chinese one, followed him in order to control he wasn’t stealing anything. I was shocked. Instead, they were quiet. This situation seemed to be natural for both of them. It was the rule. They were children. One was considered as a potential thief because he was a Tibetan. But he was the one who has been stolen of,” she recollected.

The photographer has travelled to Lhasa, Shigatse, Amdo and Lithang in Kham.

Filmmaker Sandra Dolani explaining the exhibits to DIIR Secretaries and Director of Tibet Museum, 22 March 2018. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR

Filmmaker Sandra Dolani explaining the exhibits to DIIR Secretaries and Director of Tibet Museum, 22 March 2018. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR

Visitors at the exhibition titled ”Lithang, Kham: The Cradle of the Tibetan Resistance’, 22 March 2018. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR

Visitors at the exhibition titled ”Lithang, Kham: The Cradle of the Tibetan Resistance’, 22 March 2018. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR