VOLUME XIII
ISSUE I
JANUARY 2019
THE TIBET MUSEUM NEWSLETTER IN THIS ISSUE Conference of Museum CEOs Page 1 Inauguration of a book on Costumes and Jewellery of Tibet Page 2 Deputy Speaker inaugurates Exhibition on HHDL’s Escape from Tibet Page 2 North America Exhibition Tour Page 3 Director of the Tibet Museum attends Museology Seminar Page 4 Forty-first International Musem Day Page 5 Exhibition on Lithang, Kham Unveiled Page 5 Photo Exposition in BHU Page 5 Photo Exposition in A.P & Assam Page 6 Exhibition at IIC, Delhi Page 6 Exhibition at ‘Thank You India 2018’ Page 6 Photo Exhibition in Amritsar Page 6 Tibet Awareness Talk Series Page 7 The Tibet Museum Newsletter is published bi-annually and welcomes articles, letters,
Participants of the Museum summit pose for a photo with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at his residence, October 29, 2018. Photo: Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (OHHDL)
The Tibet Museum Organizes Conference of Museum CEOs October 29 - 31, 2018 A three-day summit on “Fostering Universal Ethics and Compassion through Museums” was held at the Vaikunth Hotel in Dharamshala. The summit, co-hosted by the Tibet Museum and the Office of Tibet, based in Washington, D.C., started with an auspicious note with the participants and the organizing staff receiving blessings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama at his residence in the morning of October 29.
photos and materials that are relevant to the Tibetan culture and history. Articles may be submitted by e-mail to tibetmuseum@tibet.net
Edited by: Helmut Obermeir and Tenzing Ramjam
Published by: The Tibet Museum, DIIR Page 1
His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing the participants. Photo: OHHDL
Around 30 museum directors, CEOs and educators from across the US and Germany took part in discussions pertaining to the promotion of secular ethics through museums.
Second day of the Summit, October 30. Photo: Tenzin Jigme/DIIR
“This initiative is inspired by His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s call for universal secular ethics, and is in keeping with his vision and advice. The delegates have gathered to deliberate on how to foster universal ethics and basic human compassion through works of museum,” said Representative Ngodup Tsering, Office of Tibet, Washington D.C. Tashi Phuntsok, director of the Tibet Museum said, “We believe that this museum summit could open up great opportunities for future
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collaborations with museums to expand our collaborative effort to further strengthen the message of compassion.”
the book in 1998 when Gabriel Lafitte, a Tibetan research scholar presented her a book on Mongolian costumes.
The first day of the summit began with the visit to the Tibet Museum followed by study of dialogue practices and various presentations delivered by the participants of the summit.
“His gift made me realize that there are many Tibetan costumes in museums all over the world, but no books on the subject, so I decided to compile one,” the author said.
The seminar was organized with the objective to nurture and stimulate future collaborations between the Tibet Museum and other museums and institutes.
President Dr. Lobsang Sangay said, “While inside Tibet, systematic efforts are being made to Sinicize the Tibetan culture, people, their religious and social life, this book will serve a great purpose in presenting the unique identity of the people of Tibet which is so well preserved in the book.”
Inauguration of a book on Costumes and Jewellery of Tibet Dr. Lobsang Sangay, president, Central Tibetan Administration, unveiled a book entitled Costumes and Jewellery of Tibet at the Tibet Museum.
The 183-page book presents rare photos of early records of Tibetan costumes, Tibetan textiles, costumes of the people of three provinces of Tibet, costumes of Tibetan government officials, oracles and opera, and jewels, hairstyles and ornaments.
Ms. Namgyal Lhamo Taklha, the author of the book, said she first conceived the idea of
Ms. Taklha and Dr. Lobsang Sangay also inaugurated a temporary photo exhibition at
July 11, 2018
President Dr. Lobsang Sangay (2nd from right), Namgyal Taklha (3rd), Secretary Dhardon Sharling (left) and Secretary Tenzin Lungtok (right) of Department of Religion and Culture at the inauguration ceremony Page 2
the Tibet Museum, photographs selected from the book.
Deputy Speaker Inaugurates Photo Exhibition on His Holiness’s Escape from Tibet March 17, 2018
Director Tashi Phuntsok explaining exhibition to Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok. Photo: Tenzin Phende/DIIR
Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, deputy speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, inaugurated the Tibet Museum’s photo exhibition entitled From Home to Exile: Remembering March 17, 1959, at the Tibet Museum. The exhibition featured 33 photos showcasing the journey of His Holiness from Lhasa to India in March 1959. “The events of March 1959, leading up the flight of His Holiness, were the darkest times in Tibetan history,” said Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok. The deputy speaker further expressed the Tibetan people’s gratitude to India for hosting Tibetan people for six decades. Tashi Phuntsok, director of the Tibet Museum, explained that the photo exhibition marks the onset of the CTA’s year-long “Thank You India” campaign.
VOLUME XIII
Photo Exhibition and Fundraising Tour of North America
ISSUE I
Tibet before and after the Chinese invasion.
April 21 - May 26, 2018 Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, Director of the Tibet Museum and Tibet Museum staff Tenzin Ramjam undertook a month-long photo exhibition and fundraising tour in North America starting from April 21, 2018. In the course of their tour, they travelled to eight cities in the US and Canada. The primary aim of this initiative was to inform Tibetans, and especially younger generations, about Tibetan history, the current situation in Tibet and the contributions of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Tibetan cause and world peace. With the construction of the new Tibet Museum underway in Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala, it was also an opportune moment to raise funds towards that end.
Visitors going through the photo exhibition in Toronto, Canada
Two photo exhibition themes were showcased during the campaign: Biography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, an exhibition covering His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s early childhood to his enthronement, the subsequent responsibilities he took as the temporal head of Tibet, and his contribution to world peace and religious harmony; and A Long Look Homeward, an exhibition which sheds light on
JANUARY 2019
On April 29, Tibetans and nonTibetans visited the exhibition site in the Deer Park Buddhist Center in Madison, Wisconsin. On April 30, with the assistance from the Wisconsin Tibetan Association (WTA), the Tibet Museum showcased photo exhibition and documentary film at Madison Area Technical College.
Tibetan school children at the photo exhibition at TAFM, Minneapolis
Out of this World - A Journey into Forbidden Tibet, a film depicting the journey of Lowell Thomas, Sr. and his son into Lhasa, Tibet in 1949 was screened along with the new Tibet Museum’s promotional video. The director of the Tibet Museum also apprised audiences at all the venues on the activities of the Tibet Museum and the new Tibet Museum project.
Ngodup Tsering, representative, Office of Tibet, addressing the gathering in New York
The Tibet Museum’s North America tour began with twoday program in Toronto, Canada on April 21, 2018. More than one thousand Tibetans and nonTibetans visited the two-day photo exhibition which was held in conjunction with the visit and teaching of His Eminence Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, the 42nd Sakya Trizin, at the Tibetan Canadian Cultural Center (TCCC) – Gangjong Choedenling.
In collaboration with the Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey (TCNYNJ), the twoday photo exhibition in New York was held on May 5 and 6, at Satya Narayan Mandir in Jackson Heights. Mr. Ngodup Tsering, representative of the Office of Tibet in Washington D.C., inaugurated the photo exhibition and addressed the gathering during a brief inaugural ceremony.
Minneapolis, Minnesota, home to one of the largest Tibetan diasporic communities, warmly received the Tibet Museum’s photo exhibition and the fundraising initiative. With assistance from the president and members of the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota (TAFM) and the interest shown by the Tibetans and nonTibetans, the photo exhibition and fundraising program organised at the TAFM on April 27 and 28 was a great success.
On May 9, 2018, the small Tibetan community scattered around Connecticut gathered at Norwich to take part in the Tibet Museum’s photo exhibition. The exhibition held in Norwich, Connecticut, received a warm response from the Tibetans, as elders and children flocked in sizeable number to see the photo exhibition and contribute towards the fundraising for the new the Tibet Museum project.
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The Tibet Museum would like to thank all the individual and the eight Tibetan associations for their contribution and support in making our exhibition tour and fundraising campaign success.
Representative Ngodup Tsering (left) and Director Tashi Phuntsok (right) during their meeting with Congressman Jim McGovern (center)
The Tibetan Association of Boston (TAB) hosted the Tibet Museum’s photo exhibition and fundraising campaign on May 12 and 13 in their newly acquired community hall. On May 15, Ngodup Tsering, representative, Office of Tibet, and Tashi Phuntsok met with Congressman Jim McGovern on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Representative Ngodup Tsering and Tashi Phuntsok discussed with the congressman various issues pertaining to preservation of Tibetan arts and artifacts and the possibility of partnership with The Library of Congress and Smithsonian museums. Tibetan Services of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) interviewed the director regarding the new Tibet Museum project and the photo exhibition campaign in North America. On May 20, Tibetans in Portland, Oregon & Vancouver, Washington came out in large numbers to support and contribute to the Tibet Museum’s fundraising campaign. At a brief function held Page 4
in the North West Tibetan Cultural Association (NWTCA), Mr. Tashi Phuntsok gave a presentation on the new Tibet Museum project, explaining its objectives and missions. The month-long campaign concluded on May 26, 2018, with the final program held at the Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC) in Richmond, California. Director Tashi Phuntsok gave a presentation to introduce the Tibet Museum, its activities and the new Tibet Museum project. During the campaign, with generous contributions and assistance from individuals and associations, the Tibet Museum raised US$ 42,961.61 for the new Tibet Museum project. Following are the breakdown of donations received from the Tibetan associations in US and Canada: TCCC, Toronto: CAD$ 4,699 TAFM, Minnesota: US$ 5,753 WTA, Madison: US$ 3,584 TCNYNJ, New York: US$ 6,514. TAB, Boston: US$ 3,264. NWTCA, Portland: US$ 15,000. TANC, California: US$ 5,500.
We would also like to express our earnest gratitude to the following individual who contributed more than INR 1 lac (or US$ 1500) towards the new Tibet Museum project: Tara Melwani (Singapore) US$ 3000; Sua Ee Jong (Malaysia) US$ 2000; Amy Bai (Australia) US$ 1500; Sonam N. Lueyar (Switzerland) US$ 1500; Dr. Laxmi Vishnu (US) Rs. 1 lakh; Tinlay Choedon Dewatshang (France) Rs. 1 lakh.
Director of the Tibet Museum Attends Museology Seminar June 29 - 30, 2018
Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, director of the Tibet Museum, attended a seminar on Developing a Tibetan Museology in Exile at the Institute for Cultural Practices in the Faculty of Humanities, University of Manchester, United Kingdom. At the seminar Mr. Tashi Phuntsok presented a paper entitled “The New Tibet Museum: Needs, Challenges and Opportunities.” His paper primarily focused on the importance of the museum as a medium for presenting a Tibetan narrative to the international community. He also highlighted China’s spending millions on propaganda, particularly through the Confucius Institute across the world and through museums inside Tibet as well as in China.
VOLUME XIII
Forty-first International Museum Day Celebrated at the Tibet Museum May 18 - 19, 2018
ISSUE I
JANUARY 2019
Hyperconnected Museums: New Approaches, New Publics in sync with the theme of the 41st International Museum Day.
testify it to the world through these photos to furthers our voice for the truthful cause of Tibet,” said Secretary Dagpo.
The two-day event included a guided tour of the Tibet Museum, TIPA, LTWA, MentseeKhang
Ms. Dolani said, “I saw Lithang when it was still a vintage typical Tibetan town; I saw it when the spirit of resistance was still alive. However, with the entire new infrastructure, she said Lithang is turned into “a Chinese town in the middle of Kham, Tibet.” The Tibet Museum provides its temporary exhibition space to Tibetans and non-Tibetans to showcase photo exhibitions and visual installations related to Tibet and Tibetan people.
Chief Guest Kalon Karma Gelek addressing the inaugural function. Photo: Tenzin Jigme/DIIR
The Tibet Museum joined museums across the world in celebrating the 41st International Museum Day. Chief guest Kalon Karma Gelek Yuthok said, “Today marks the 41st International Museum Day. While we celebrate the day, it is equally important to revisit the visions and guiding principles of this historically significant occasion.” Secretary Tenzin Dhardon Sharling said, “At this very hour, in 120 different countries, 30,000 museums are taking part in organizing this event that celebrates the coming together of museums. Likewise, it is our humble endeavor to ride that international wave of redefining how museums tell their own stories.” The Tibet Museum joined forces with Tibetan museums and institutes in Dharamshala to collectively organize two-day event at Tsuglagkhang entitled
Norbulingka, and talks and discussions on Tibetan history and culture.
Photo Exhibition on Lithang, Kham unveiled March 23, 2018 DIIR Secretary Sonam N. Dagpo inaugurated an exhibition entitled Lithang, Kham: The Cradle of the Tibetan Resistance at the Tibet Museum. The exhibition featured 19 photos captured in Lithang, Kham by French-Italian filmmaker and photographer, Sandra Dolani during her visits to Tibet. “The exhibition shines a light on the scale of Chinese investment in Tibet to Sinicize Tibetan way of life, its systematic violation of the rights of Tibetan people. It depicts the reality inside Tibet and to have a non-Tibetan bear witness to the situation and
Photo Exhibition at Banaras Hindu University March 9 - 11, 2018 The Tibet Museum showcased three-day photo exhibitions entitled, India and Tibet: Ancient Ties, Current Bonds and A Long Look Homeward at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) during Tibet Fest organized by the Banaras Tibetan Student Association. Ven. Ngawang Samten, vicechancellor of the Central University for Tibetan Studies and BHU professors chaired the inauguration ceremony.
Chief Guest Ven. Ngawang Samten being led through the exhibits by the Tibet Museum staff Yeshi Wangmo. Photo: Tashi Dhondup Page 5
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Photo Exhibition in The Tibet Museum Arunachal Pradesh Showcases and Assam Exhibition at March 20 - 27, 2018 ‘Thank You India To commemorate the 60th year 2018’ of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s arrival in India, the Tibet Museum showcased a photo exhibition entitled From Home to Exile Remembering March 17, 1959 in Tawang, Dirang and Tezpur on March 20, 23 and 27, respectively. The exhibition was held concurrently with Padyatra from Chuthangmo (Indo-Tibet Border) to Tezpur (Assam) organized by the Core Group for Tibetan Cause.
Photo Exhibition at IIC, New Delhi
April 7 & 10, 2018
The Tibet Museum showcased its photo exhibitions, From Home to Exile – Remembering March 17, 1959, Biography of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and India and Tibet – Ancient Ties, Current Bonds at the Paonta Cholsum Tibetan Settlement and Paonta Town. The exhibition was held as a part of the CTA’s ‘Thank You India 2018’ program organized by the Paonta Cholsum Tibetan Settlement.
June 3, 2018 At the invitation of the Kamrao Tibetan Settlement, the Tibet Museum showcased a photo exhibition featuring two themes, India and Tibet and Biography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Kamrao, Himachal Pradesh. Dr. Rajiv Saizal, the Social Justice and Empowerment corporate minister inaugurated the exhibition along with Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok. The event was organized as a part of ‘Thank You India 2018’ program to commemorate the 60th year of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s arrival in India.
Photo Exhibition in Amritsar
April 2 - 4, 2018
April 13, 2018
August 18 - 20, 2018
The Tibet Museum showcased a photo exhibition covering three themes: From Home to Exile – Remembering March 17, 1959, Tibet’s Journey into Exile and India and Tibet: Ancient Ties, Current Bonds during the three-day Cultural Festival of Tibet organized by the CTA in partnership with the India International Centre (IIC) in New Delhi.
The Tibet Museum also showcased its photo exhibition in Dehradun covering three themes: From Home to Exile – Remembering March 17, 1959, Biography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and India and Tibet – Ancient Ties, Current Bonds at the ‘Thank You India 2018’ program organized by the Doon Tibetan Communities.
An exhibition entitled A Long Look Homeward was set up at the Indian Academy of Fine Arts in Amritsar in conjunction with the event, Migration and Exile, jointly organized by the Indian Academy of Fine Arts, Amritsar and the Majha House. Mr. K.S. Sangha, deputy commissioner, Amritsar, inaugurated the exhibition.
Smt. Sheila Dixit, former chief minister of Delhi graced the inaugural function of the festival and later visited the exhibition site. Tashi Phuntsok, director of the Tibet Museum, led her through the exhibition. His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche, Smt. Kapila Vatsyayan, President Dr. Lobsang Sangay and his cabinet member were among the many visitors that graced the exhibition at the IIC during the Cultural Festival of Tibet. Visitors at the exhibition, the Indian Academy of Fine Arts, Amritsar Page 6
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ISSUE I
JANUARY 2019
Strategic Interests of China Pursuing the Buddhist Soft Power. His presentation shed light on China’s new-found fascination with Buddhism in projecting itself as a Buddhist soft power.
November 21, 2018
Ms. Thinlay Chukki of EU, UN&HR Desk, DIIR deliveing her talk at the Tibet Museum, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala
Tibet Awareness Talk Series
In order to enhance awareness of Tibet and its overall situation, the Tibet Museum conducts a talk series every month, inviting researchers, scholars and others to speak on issues related to Tibetan history, culture, environment and the current situation in Tibet. The target audience comprised of Tibetans and Indians, as well as tourists from different parts of the world. The audience gets the opportunity to participate in question and answer sessions and other post-talk activities.
September 26, 2018 Dr. Tenzin Tsultrim, researcher at the Tibet Policy Institute gave a presentation entitled, A Boiling Pot: Impacts of CCP’s Intrusive Surveillance in Tibet. Foreign tourists, local Indian visitors and local Tibetans were among the visitors who listened to Dr. Tsultrim’s presentation.
November 7, 2018 Dr. Rinzin Dorjee, research fellow at the Tibet Policy Institute delivered an insightful and engaging talk on the topic,
All past talk series can be viewed online via www.youtube.com/ thetibetmuseum
December 12, 2018 Dr. Tenzin Desal, research fellow at the Tibet Policy Institute gave a well-researched and intriguing presentation on History, Memory and Resistance: Revisiting the 70,000-Character Petition. The topic focused on the “70,000-Character Petition” submitted by His Eminence 10th Panchen Lama to the Chinese leadership in 1962. Dr. Desal cited the 70,000-character petition as one of the key documents to research in modern Tibetan history.
December 26, 2018
July 25, 2018 Ms. Tenzin Lhamo, executive director, Active Non-Violent Education Center delivered an inspiring talk on the topic, Towards a Non-Violent Society, at the Tibet Museum to visitors comprising of foreign tourists, domestic tourists and local Tibetans.
Ms. Thinlay Chukki of the European Union, United Nations and Human Rights Desk of the Department of Information and International Relations, gave an interesting account of Tibet from her personal viewpoint and upbringing in a talk entitled, Tibet through the Eyes of a Tibetan Born in Exile.
Dr. Tenzin Tsultrim, researcher, TPI giving his presentation at the Tibet Museum
Mr. Karma Tenzin, research fellow at the Tibet Policy Institute, CTA, capped the end of this year’s Tibet Awareness Talk Series with a talk on the current education system in Tibet under Chinese rule, and how China is deliberately and systematically wiping out the teaching and use of the Tibetan language among Tibetans in Tibet. His presentation was entitled, Bilingual Education Policy in Tibet. Page 7
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How to support the Tibet Museum 1. Donate Funds to the Tibet Museum The Tibet Museum project was made possible through the kind support of our donors, both individuals and organisations. Your financial contribution can help us keep history alive through exhibitions on Tibet’s history, culture and traditions. If you are interested in contributing to the Tibet Museum you can do it by sending us a cheque or bank draft in favor of “SARD” (Social and Resource Development Fund). We cannot accept cash donations.
Your support will benefit the Museum’s core projects: the Tibet awareness program, the digitization of our collections, capacity building programs for the Museum staff, the photo identification project, traveling exhibitions, and others. Supporters will receive a letter of acknowledgment and will be mentioned in our next newsletter. In addition, they will be subscribed to our future newsletters.
benefited from donations from friends and supporters. If you have an object, photograph or collection that would be pertinent to the Tibet Museum, we would be happy to receive and display it.
3. Donate time The Tibet Museum greatly benefits from volunteers from different communities, and it is always in need of graphic designers, archivists and museum specialists.
2. Donate Artefacts and Photographs
3. Host our exhibition in your community
The Tibet Museum is collecting contemporary and historical objects and photographs related to Tibet and Tibetans from around the world. We have always greatly
You can also support the Tibet Museum by hosting the Museum’s traveling exhibition in your community by sponsoring traveling and other expenses.
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