The Tibet Museum Newsletter - December 2015

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THE TIBET MUSEUM NEWSLETTER IN THIS ISSUE DIIR Kalon Inaugurates a New Exhibition

Page 01 Exhibition on HHDL Life in Swedish Capital

Page 02 Exhibitions at Dhagpo Shedrubling Monastery

Page 02 The Tibet Museum’s First Exhibition Tour in the United States

Page 03 Exhibition in Dehradun

Page 04 Photo Exhibition in West Bengal and Sikkim

Page 04 Photo Exhibition at TCV Suja and Bir

Page 05 Exhibition in Guwahati

Page 05 Exhibition in Punjab and Haryana

Page 05 Workshop, Training and Conference

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DIIR Kalon Inaugurates a New Exhibition - Tibetan Democracy in Exile October 14, 2015 CMs. Dicki Chhoyang, Kalon of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), inaugurated an exhibition entitled Tibetan Democracy in Exile at the Tibet Museum, located near the Main Temple, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala.

The exhibition aims to educate Tibetans and non-Tibetans alike on the evolution of the Tibetan democracy in exile. The exhibition is divided into four themes, including the establishment of the legislative body, the giant leap into democracy, the direct election of the Kalon Tripa and the devolution of political and administrative responsibilities by the His Holiness the Dalai Lama to an elected leadership.

Addressing the media, DIIR Kalon said, “The exhibit highlights the evolution

DIIR Kalon Dicki Chhoyang addressing the media at the inaugural session of the exhibition

of the Tibetan democratic polity since the establishment of Commission of Tibetan People’s Deputy (CTPD) in 1960, the adoption of the Charter in 1991, the direct election of Kalon Tripa by the exiled Tibetans, followed by His Holiness’s devolution of political authority to an elected Tibetan leadership in 2011.”

In light of upcoming elections, the DIIR Kalon said that the exhibition aims to educate Tibetans about the evolution of Tibetan democracy in exile. She further added that the present Tibetan democratic system owes its gratitude to the vision and tireless effort of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Tibet Awareness Talk Series

Page 07 The Tibet Museum Newsletter is published bi-annually and welcomes articles, letters, 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 Tashi Phuntsok Barling Page 1

Kalon Dicki Chhoyang with the two secretaries of DIIR

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gave a lecture on His Holiness’s life, his contribution to humanity in general and Tibetans in particular, and his messages of peace, love, compassion and universal responsibility.

Visitors at the photo exhibition on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s life and messages

Exhibition on His Holiness’s Life Showcased in Swedish Capital July 5, 2015 At the invitation of the Swedish Tibet Committee (STK), the Tibet Museum showcased a rare photo exhibition on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s life, in the Swedish capital, Stockholm.

The photo exhibition was part of His Holiness’s eightieth birthday celebration organized by the Swedish Tibet Committee and the Tibetan community in Sweden. The exhibition featured themes such as His Holiness early life and responsibilities, meetings with world leaders, awards and honours received, books in English authored and co-authored by His Holiness, as well as his three life commitments. More than a hundred people from the small Tibetan community in Sweden and members of the Swedish Tibet Committee attended the event.

Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, Director of the Tibet Museum, gave a brief presentation about the exhibition and the Tibet Museum. He later Page 2

On July 6, 2015, the Nobel Museum in Stockholm held a daylong program dedicated to His Holiness’s eightieth birthday.

The program included guided tours on the Nobel Peace Prize and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a performance of the Tibetan anthem by the Swedish Tibetan community, a movie on His Holiness and short presentations about His Holiness in English and Swedish.

Exhibition at Dhagpo Shedrubling Monastery September 15, 2015 At the request of the Dhagpo Shedrubling Monastery, the Tibet Museum showcased a photo exhibition on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s life and Tibet’s history to commemorate the eightieth

anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The chief guest of the ceremony, Shri Gobind Singh Thakur, Member of the Himachal Pradesh State Legislative Assembly representing the Manali Assembly segment in Kullu District, inaugurated the photo exhibition along with His Eminence Dhagpo Rinpoche. Around one thousand people representing the local Indian community, Tibetans, as well as disciples from France, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore joined the monastery in the celebration and visited the photo exhibition.

The double-themed exhibition featured elements such as His Holiness’s early life and responsibilities, meetings with world leaders, awards and honours received, books in English authored by His Holiness, His Holiness’s three main commitments and the history of Tibet from its first king till the occupation of Tibet by the People’s Republic of China. In order to provide visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the Tibet issue, a documentary film on Tibet was also screened in the evening.

Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, Director of Tibet Museum, explaining the exhibits to Chief Guest Shri. Gobind Singh Thakur, MLA from Manali

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It was also used to introduce the Dream Project of the Tibetan Association of Colorado and raise funds for the project.

Visitors at Tibet Museum exhibition in Portland, Oregon

The Tibet Museum’s First Exhibition Tour in the United States Oct - Nov 2015 The Tibet Museum’s first travelling exhibition tour of the United States showcased its double-themed exhibition on His Holiness’s life and Tibet’s contemporary history in three cities: Portland, Boulder and the California Bay Area.

The first exhibition, Biography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama featured extensive photographic and textual information on the life and messages of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, while the second exhibition, A Long Look Homeward, featured

Visitors at photo exhibition in Boulder, Colorado

photographic narratives of Tibet before the Chinese occupation, the impact of the Chinese occupation, Tibet today and its hopes for the future.

The exhibition kicked off in Portland, Oregon on October 4 6, 2015. More than three hundred Tibetans and Tibet supporters from Portland and Vancouver came to see the three-daylong photo exhibition. The exhibition in Portland was jointly organized with the Northwest Tibetan Cultural Association of Portland.

The second exhibition was held at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado on October 24 and 25, 2015. The two-day exhibition was jointly organized by the Tibet Museum and the Tibetan Association of Colorado.

The event also included the screening of documentary films on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s life and messages as well as traditional Tibetan song and dance performances by the Tibetan Cultural School. More than seven hundred Tibetan and non-Tibetan visitors came to see the two-day exhibition, which aimed to educate and raise awareness about Tibet’s history, culture and the present situation.

The final exhibition was held in Richmond in the California Bay Area, on November 22, 2015.

The daylong exhibition saw an overwhelming response from Tibetans, school children, local Tibet supporters and donors.

Around a thousand visitors thronged to see the exhibits on His Holiness’s life and Tibet’s contemporary history.

The exhibition was jointly organized by the Tibet Museum and the Tibetan Association of Northern California (TANC). The event was also held as part of TANC’s yearly Thanksgiving tradition to thank volunteers, supporters and well wishers for their unflinching support and generosit

The Tibet Museum’s exhibition in California Bay Area

Watch online: The Tibet Museum’s Exhibition in California Bay Area

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Officer, inaugurated the threeday exhibition, which attracted thousands of people from all walks of life.

Visitors at the exhibition in Mindrolling Monastery, Clementown

Exhibition in Clementown, Dehradun

Photo Exhibition in West Bengal and Sikkim

July 6, 2015

July 6-17, 2015

Coinciding with the eightieth birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibet Museum showcased an exhibition on His Holiness’s life and Indo-Tibet relations at the Mindrolling Monastery, Clementown, Dehradun. The exhibition was part of a grand celebration of His Holiness’s eightieth birthday organized by the Dehradun Tibetan Settlement Office and the Tibetan communities in Dehradun.

As part of the grand celebration of the eightieth birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibet Museum toured northeastern Tibetan communities in West Bengal and Sikkim to showcase a two exhibitions: Biography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and The Burning Question - Why are Tibetans Turning to SelfImmolation?

The daylong exhibition was inaugurated by chief guest Sh. Ravinath Raman, District Magistrate, Dehradun, along with His Eminence D.G. Khochhen Rinpoche, head Lama of Mindrolling Monastery, Clementown.

Tibetans and local Indians thronged in large numbers to see the photo exhibition and attend the film screening despite the incessant monsoon rains.

The exhibition tour was kicked off on July 6-8, 2015 at Chowrasta, a popular tourist spot in Darjeeling. Mr. Rinzin Dorjee, the Tibetan Settlement

The second leg of the exhibition tour was held at the Tibetan Community Hall in Kalimpong, from July 13-14, 2015. Hundreds of students and staff from the Central School for Tibetans, Kalimpong and local Tibetans came to see the exhibition.

The last leg of the tour was held at Gangtok, the picturesque town and capital of Sikkim from July 17-19, 2015 at the Cholka Sum Tibetan community hall in Gangtok. The three-day exhibition was held as a part of the Tibet Festival, which was jointly organized by the Delhi-based Indo-Tibet Co-ordination Office, The Tibet Museum and Tibetan communities from Gangtok.

Shri Prem Das Rai, the Lok Sabha Member of Sikkim State inaugurated the three-day Tibet Festival and photo exhibition on July 17, 2015. Over a thousand Tibetans, local Sikkimese, school children and teachers from around fifteen schools came to see the exhibition and documentary film screening.

Students of C.S.T Kalimpong at the exhibition in Kalimpong Page 4

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Photo Exhibition at TCV Suja October 6-7, 2015 At the request of the Tibetan Children’s Village, Suja, the Tibet Museum showcased an exhibition on the life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, during their annual week-long program - Tibet: My Country. Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, the Secretary of the DIIR, inaugurated the twoday exhibition in the school auditorium. In order to provide students a better understanding of the exhibition, documentary films on His Holiness’s life and on Tibet history were also screened.

Tibet Museum Showcases an Exhibition on the Sidelines of the Paragliding World Cup October 29-31, 2015 The Tibet Museum organized a photo exhibition during the Paragliding World Cup in Bir. The three-day photo exhibition was held on the invitation of Tibetan settlement offices of Bir and Chauntra and featured the exhibitions entitled, Glimpses on the History of Tibet and Three Commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Mr. Sudhir Sharma, Minister of Housing, Urban Development and Town & Country Planning in the government of Himachal Pradesh, inaugurated the photo exhibition. Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, Secretary of the DIIR, welcomed the chief guest and explained the various panels of the exhibition,

Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, Secretary of the DIIR explaining the exhibits to Chief Guest Mr. Sudhir Sharma, Minister, H.P State Government

describing the Tibetan struggle from the early years of exile as well as apprising the Minister of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s three main commitments in life.

The exhibition drew hundreds of locals, foreigners and Tibetan visitors who had come to watch the paragliding world cup in Billing.

Exhibition in Guwahati November 2-3, 2015 The Tibet Museum showcased a photo exhibition on Indo-Tibet Relations during the fifth All India Tibet Support Groups conference held in Guwahati. The exhibition entitled India and Tibet - Ancient Ties, Current Bonds, explores the relationship of the people of Tibet and India from time immemorial and how it has grown in strength in recent years. It also highlights the importance of the relationship to both countries.

Participants enthusiastically viewed the exhibition on both days of the conference, and DIIR publications on the Middle Way Approach and the CTA were distributed.

The Tibet Museum Showcases Exhibitions in Punjab and Haryana November 15-26, 2015 As a part of the effort to raise awareness about the Tibet issue in the Indian public, the Tibet Museum organized a series of exhibitions in four cities in Punjab and Haryana. The exhibitions were held with the cooperation and assistance from Tibetan refugee markets in respective cities. The exhibits were displayed inside the Tibetan markets with the intention to attract shoppers and visitors from nearby areas visiting the Tibetan market.

The first exhibition was showcased in Patiala, a buzzing city in Punjab, on November 16, 2015, while the second exhibition was held in Ambala Cantonment in Haryana on November 18-19, 2015. Chandigarh and Mohali hosted the next two exhibitions on November 21-22 and November 25, 2015 respectively.

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Workshop, Training and Conference Comprehensive Tibetan Language Training Mr. Tashi Phuntsok and Mr. Tenzin Phendhey attended a seven-day comprehensive training on the Tibetan language from August 17-23, 2015. The training was aimed to enhance the Tibetan language capacity of DIIR staff, particularly those working in the field of Tibetan media.

Workshop on Graphic Design The Tibet Museum organized a six-day intensive training on graphic design in the Lhakpa Tsering Hall, DIIR, from September 7-12, 2015. The workshop was organized by the Tibet Museum with the aim to enhance the skill and expertise of its staff with regard to design, layout, print and publication.

Mr. Vishu Aggarwal, Assistant Manager of Adobe from Koenig Solution, New Delhi conducted the six-day workshop. Twelve staff members from various sections of the department, including the Tibet Museum, Media Section, Publication and Translation Section, EU/HR Desk and Tibetan Computer Resource Centre took part in the training.

Workshop on Digital Photography Mr. Tenzin Phendhey, Mr. Tenzin Rabjam and Mr. Kunga Phuntsok attended a three-day workshop on digital photography from September 21-23, 2015.

Mr. Tenzin Choejor, official Page 6

Workshop on Graphic Design

photographer of the Private Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama shared his knowledge and expertise by imparting hands-on training and presentations to the participants. Around twelve staff members representing sections the Tibet Museum, AudioVisual Department, Tibetan and English Media and China Desk participated in the workshop.

MuseumNext Conference Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, Director of the Tibet Museum, attended the two-day MuseumNext Conference in Indianapolis, USA, from September 25-26, 2015. The first North American edition of MuseumNext Conference was hosted by the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA). Over two hundred delegates from across the globe attended the two days of presentations, networking and inspiration.

Stand-out presentations included Nina Simon’s “Fighting For Inclusion,” Shelley Bernstein’s “Exploring ASK Brooklyn Museum,” Adam Rozan’s “Don’t Touch the Artwork,” Ravon Ruffin’s “Mining The Digital Landscape, Engaging Communities of Color” and Matt Solari’s “Creating The Inclusive Museum Through Storytelling.”

Following the conference, Mr. Tashi Phuntsok visited various museums in Washington DC and New York including the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, Newark Museum, Rubin Museum, 9/11 Memorial Museum, American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, etc.

Workshop on Program Design, Monitoring and Evaluation Mr. Tenzin Phendey and Ms. Tenzin Tsondue attended a daylong workshop on Program Design, Monitoring and Evaluation at Norbu House, Mcleod Ganj, on November 2, 2015. Ms. Rebekah Usatin, NED’s manager for monitoring and evaluation, conducted the workshop. The workshop was organised by NED for its grantees in Dharamsala.

Watch online: The Tibet Museum’s Director Interview for VoA The Tibet Museum Director Mr. Tashi Phuntsok spoke with Voice of America - Kunleng to discuss the exhibitions, activities, and extensive photographic archive of the Dharamsala museum, and its curatorial mission of presenting the past, present and future in a cohesive and comprehensive narrative.

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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.

The target audience is comprised of Tibetan and Indian participants, 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.

Ms. Kalden Tsomo of DIIR speaking at the Tibet Museum

May 27, 2015

August 12, 2015

October 14, 2015

Ms. Kalden Tsomo, head of the EU, UN and Human Rights Desk of DIIR, CTA gave a talk entitled “The Enforced Disappearance of 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima.”

Ms. Tenzin Pema, researcher at the Tibet Policy Institute (TPI) gave a talk, “Success Stories of Some of the Private Schools inside Tibet.”

Mr. Tenzin Dalha, researcher at the Tibet Policy Institute (TPI), presented his views and findings in “The Rise of Digital Activism and the Impact of Social Media on Tibet.”

June 10, 2015

December 16, 2015

Mr. Tenzin Tseten, researcher at the Tibet Policy Institute (TPI) gave a talk and presentation entitled “China’s White Paper on Tibet.”

Mr. Sherab Woeser, researcher at the Tibet Policy Institute (TPI), gave a presentation and a talk on “Tourism - Last Nail in Tibet’s Coffin.”

Ms. Tenzin Pema, Researcher of the TPI, giving a presentation at the Tibet Museum

Watch online: Ms. Kalden Tsomo talk on Enforced Disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama.

September 14, 2015

Mr. Tenzin Tseten, Researcher of the TPI, speaking at the Tibet Museum

Mr. Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha, researcher at the Environment and Development Desk, TPI, gave a talk and presentation, “Tibet: The Water Tower of Asia.”

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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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