Volume VII Issue I June 2013

THE MUSEUM E-NEWSLETTER

IN THIS ISSUE Photo Exhibition at TIPA

Photo Exhibitions 1 9th–11th June 2012 During the Fourth All India Tibet Photo Identifcation Support Groups Conference held in Project 2 Dharamsala, the of the Department of Information and Interna- Tibet Awareness 3 Talk Series tional Relations (DIIR) held photo ex- hibitions titled Glimpses on the History Destruction of 4 of Tibet and A Long Look Homeward at the the Tibet Institute of Performing Workshops & Arts (TIPA). Over 150 Indian support- 7 Training ers from across India who participated in the conference visited the exhibition, which aided them in a richer understanding of both Tibet’s history and the sobering reality of ’s occupation. In addition, the museum had the opportunity to host His Holiness the Dalai who had come for the inauguration of the conference and made his gracious presence felt at our photo exhibition. Photo Exhibition in Shimla 6th–9th July 2012 To mark the auspicious occasion of His Holiness the ’s 77th birthday, and with an earnest request in Shimla, the Tibet Museum hosted a rare photo exhibition titled Biography of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Glimpses on the at the famous Ritz Ground—the most tourist- ed attraction in Shimla, on 7 July 2012. The exhibition highlighted the life history of His Holiness the as well as the history of Tibet. Around 1,500 people paid to see the exhibition and left with a better aware- ness of Tibetan history. THE TIBET MUSEUM E-NEWSLETTER

Photo Identifcation Project Feb.–Mar. 2013 As a part of the Tibet Museum’s Ms.Tsering Dolma and Mr. Thin- ley visited Tibetan settlements near Dehra Dun from 23 February to 3 March 2013 and Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlements from 17–29 Visitors closely examine the photo exhibition in Delhi March 2013 to identify photos. - Photo Exhibition in Delhi terviewing relevant Tibetans, spe- On 31 January 2013, the Tibet - 29th Jan.–2nd Feb. 2013 Museum hosted a photo exhibi- tions. More than 600 photographs The Tibet Museum had yet an- tion on the ongoing crisis of related to Tibetan society, religion, other opportunity to host a photo self-immolations at the India Tibetan settlements, farming and exhibition based on the themes of International Centre in New Delhi agricultural products were identi- A Long Look Homeward and the in order to enhance awareness of ongoing self-immolations happen- the current situation inside Tibet. ing inside Tibet that continue to The exhibition corresponded with monks and other Tibetans. demand freedom for Tibetans and the Gandhian Peace Foundation the return of His Holiness the Da- panel discussion on lai Lama to Tibet. This exhibition Tibet titled “Tibet: was venued at the Press Club of The Current Situa- India on 29 January 2013. Nota- tion and Its Implica- ble guests included Dr. tions for India and , Speaker Penpa China” at the same Tsering and other members of Par- venue. liament, important delegates from Delhi and assorted media. The exhibition on self-immolation Another exhibition based on the was also hosted same themes was hosted at the in Jantar Mantar north and south exit doors of Talk- in New Delhi for atora Stadium on 30 January 2013, two days from 1-2 where the inaugural ceremony of Febraury 2013 during the huge Photo Identifcation Project near Dehra Dun the Tibetan People’s Solidarity gathering of the Tibetan Solidarity Campaign was held. Around 4,000 Movement at Jantar Mantar. The visitors comprising Tibetans from exhibition aimed to inform Tibet- India, Nepal and Bhutan visited ans and non-Tibetans about the our exhibition, as well as many In- sobering realities inside Tibet. dian supporters including former Deputy Prime Minister of India Shri. Lal Krishna Advani.

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Tibet Awareness Talk Series Held Monthly To enhance awareness of Tibet and its overall situation, the Tibet Museum conducts a talk series every month inviting researchers, scholars, and other learned and experienced people. The target audience is tourists from different parts of the world visiting the Tibet Museum who want to learn some- thing about Tibet and participate in a question and answer session and Ms. Kalden Tsomo giving a presentation at the Tibet Museum other post-talk recreations. Ms. Dukten Kyi, researcher for TCHRD, was invited to speak on TCHRD, was invited to speak on Tibet’s struggle for freedom, the Mr. Tsering Dhondup, researcher the issue of self-immolations and new generation of Tibetans and at the Environment and Develop- its various causes and conditions the situation of Tibetan prisoners ment Desk, gave a talk on “The at a gathering of 35 tourists and in Tibet to 32 earnest visitors and Geological Evolution of the Tibet- visitors at the Tibet Museum on 11 tourists at the Tibet Museum on 11 an Plateau” to more than 30 visit- July 2012. September 2012. ing tourists at the Tibet Museum on 15 May 2012. Mr. Tenpa Gyeltsen, researcher Mr. Tenzin Norbu, head of the for the Environment and Develop- Environment and Development Mrs. Tsering Tsomo, Executive ment Desk, spoke on “Non-Vol- Desk, spoke on “Tibet and Its En- Director of the Tibetan Center for untary Resettlement” of nomadic vironment” to 32 foreign tourists Human Rights and Democracy herders to a gathering of 27 earnest and museum visitors on 21 July (TCHRD), presented a discussion visitors at the Tibet Museum on 3 2012. at the Tibet Museum on the current August 2012. human rights situation in Tibet on Mr. Tsering Choedup of the In- 6 June 2012.There were around 46 ternational Tibet Network, Asia people from every corner of the Region, gave a talk on the “Global world who took interest in this talk Tibetan Movement” to an audience that was followed by questions and of 40 people on 12 October 2012. answers. Mr. Tenzin Losel- Ms. Kalden Tsomo and Ms. Tso- searcher for Human Rights Watch , researcher for the DIIR Hu- and the International Campaign for man Rights Desk, gave a talk on Tibet, spoke on the topic of “Reli- “The Status and Usage of Tibetan gion – A Hightly Regulated Aspect Language in Tibet” to a gathering of Tibetan Life “ and “Chinese of 30 tourists at the Tibet Museum Mr. Tsering Dhondup Government Control Over Tibetan on 22 June 2012. Mr. Dawa Tsering, former po- ” to the audience of 40 people on 26 October 2012.

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excavated sites have no water. And now the authorities want to con- struct a huge shopping center with an underground parking garage in another part of the Old City. Does this mean that we have reached a point at which it is now nigh im- possible to prevent Lhasa from falling into the destructive clutches of hungry ghosts?

Remember: in 1994, UNESCO placed the on the A large section of Old Lhasa has been demolished to construct the Barkhor Shopping Mall World Heritage List. But then, in 1996, the village of Shol, which The Destruction of Lhasa underground parking garage alone had stood for 1,100 years at the foot By Woeser containing 1,117 parking spaces. of the Potala Palace was moved Moreover, last year, because the and relocated. At the same time, ur Lhasa is on the verge of de- O colossal “Spiritual Power Plaza,” the Potala Palace, now deprived of struction; this is absolutely not a case of crying wolf! venture built at the edge of the Old public square: a replica of all those City of Lhasa was constructing identical squares found throughout A tourist who has been to Lhasa an underground parking garage, it China, that are meant to display wrote on Sina Weibo: “Today I can was pumping out groundwater day - understand clearly that the origi- and night for over two years, caus- thority. ing anxiety among Lhasa residents has been the construction of an ex- as well as worries about cracks In 2000 and 2001 UNESCO listed travagant tourist-city monstrosity ripping through the Old City of and the on Lhasa and depressions that could the World Heritage List as exten- Old City’s street stalls, guest hous- reach the dangerous point of form- sions of the Potala, making Lhasa, es, and its low-end service sector ing sinkholes. Cracks have already already a sacred place in terms have to move out, to be replaced appeared in many places, while of its value for religion, history by high-end art and antique shops, and hotels. Moreover, all the build- ings along the old streets have to have uniform facades and uniform signboards. So is it that China’s cities are to have only this one type of d**ba** Korean-style beauty makeover?”

Note that among the photographs that this tourist posted, the “Con- struction Survey” for the Barkhor Shopping Mall presents the scope 150,000 square meters, with an A display image of the Barkhor Shopping Mall, currently under construction

Tibet Museum E-Newsletter | Page 4 THE TIBET MUSEUM E-NEWSLETTER and the humanities, a part of the world’s cultural heritage. Nominal- ly, then, it ought to receive protec- tion simply as a matter of course. But in 2002, Tibetans received a deep wound to their hearts: an ar- tillery shell-shaped “Monument to the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet” was put up to tower easily over the square, facing off against the Po- tala Palace in the distance. In 2007 the Potala Palace received a “Yel- low Card Warning” at the World Heritage Conference, with criti- cism leveled for the excessive and unrestrained exploitation and for The Barkhor: the circumambulation road around the Jokhang failing to uphold its responsibili- Years ago, between 1996 and 2002, we can see that the goal of the ties and commitments. The Potala Andre Alexander, a German who renovation of the Barkhor quarter Palace was put at risk of losing its had devoted himself to restoring is to “cleanse, disperse, transform “World Heritage” designation. the Old City of Lhasa, in concert and elevate.” And the reality that with the Tibet Heritage Founda- is to be understood by this is that What is regrettable is that now, not tion which he founded, rescued the reconstruction of the Old City only does the Potala continue to be 76 traditional structures in and is to be divided into several large around Lhasa and revealed the true parts: the heart of the Old City, exploitation for purposes of tour- state of affairs, stating that “start- the circumambulation path around ism, but, under the feet of several ing in 1980 the construction pro- the Jokhang, is to be thoroughly million tourists whose numbers cess within the city has wrought cleared. All the street peddlers are continually increase, even Lhasa’s unceasing destruction on the Old to be moved inside the newly-built Old City is precariously and dan- City’s ancient structures and quar- “Barkhor Shopping Mall.” gerously changing its appearance ters... From 1993 on, each year an - average of 35 historic structures All of the residents originally liv- coming an “International Tourist have been demolished. At this rate ing along the street are to be moved City.” Not only have its guts been the remaining historic structures to Tolung Dechen County in the opened, things have become dras- will have vanished in less than 4 western suburb of Lhasa; those years.” Because of their remark- households that move quickly can able restoration work and the wit- get a subsidy of between 20,000 the lure of material goods and the ness they bore went totally against and 30,000 RMB. Not moving will seductions of power, cultural dis- the intentions of the powers that be a political problem. It’s said tinctiveness loses out and urban be, in the end they were expelled that one old person in Lhasa who uniformity is imposed. Behind this from Lhasa by the authorities in Ti- was unwilling to move has gone seeming burst of prosperity the Old bet—authorities who single-mind- completely mad. As for the empty City of Lhasa, its substance, long edly pursue only what is in their homes and courtyards, they will since depleted, is yesterday’s faded own interests. be used to draw investment bids. lily; none of its ancient simplicity, Stores, restaurants, bars, art galler- with the traces of ages past, is to be From the “Engineering Survey” ies and the like are to be established found there.” for the “Barkhor Shopping Mall” here. And on other streets and allies

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lives of many people, all mixed together with memories of Lhasa, that are being covered over. It is put it: “Dismantling the old struc- tures, excavating tunnels, building crossover bridges, stopping up the Kyichu, draining the groundwater: these people are truly the incarna- tions of hungry ghosts! Whatever they can carry away, they carry away, and what they can’t carry away they destroy!” The Old City of Lhasa in ruins in the Old City, such as the space in never been blocked and dried up. I should point out that over the last front of the Ramoche temple, big Now it is drying up to the point several years the self-immolations public squares are to be opened up. - of 121 Tibetans have become the The surrounding households will cally, the Old City of Lhasa has most conspicuous manifestation similarly be moved to the suburbs. never existed solely as a backdrop of the Tibet issue. It matters little In the northeast corner of the Old for tourists. And now it’s being that the international community is City, the site of the former Cheng- changed into a replica of Sifang only paying limited attention to it, guan District Government Head- it is still the focus of the Tibetan quarters, the Barkhor Shopping in “Shangri-La.” Might it be that Government-in-Exile; everything Mall has already been erected. And one day, perhaps very soon, entry is concentrated around it and other so it goes, on and on… into the mountain fortress version catastrophes and dangers faced by of these tourist traps, “Old City Tibetan society are getting scant Of course, the Barkhor, which was Lhasa,” will require the purchase notice. For example, right now the originally a place of religious sig- of tickets? looming destruction of Lhasa’s Old - City is staring us in the face. If this serted street. On the contrary, it No place has disappeared so quick- were taking place in the past, UN- will become a bustling street, ex- ly; no place has been inundated so ESCO could still issue a “Yellow - quickly. Sick at heart, Andre Al- Card Warning.” However, now no ists. But it will never again be the exander wrote: “Each time I go, one is paying attention, no one is street of those Tibetans who cir- the old houses are clearly fewer, concerned. cumambulate, come on pilgrimage, stone by stone, brick by brick, al- and prostrate themselves. Even if ley by alley, street by street; even But the Chinese Government is there manage to be pilgrims mak- the dogs are going missing.” And taking the Tibetan self-immola- ing prostrations there, they will today it’s being relaced by a new tions very seriously. On May 27 of simply serve to liven things up as Lhasa City that is being commer- last year, two Tibetans committed background for the tourists, as one cialized by those in power. From self-immolation in the space be- disaster follows another, winding - tween the Jokhang and the Bark- down to a pathetic and miserable dividual, it’s many people who are hor police substation. The Barkhor end for Lhasa. Historically, Lhasa losing the few remaining bits of the police substation was immediately has never had a mining cave-in. Lhasa cityscape that they so deeply elevated to the level of “Barkhor And now, it has had a mining cave- Ancient City Public Security Bu- in. Historically, the Kyichu has my life, one individual life, it is the reau.” The Hotel in which

Tibet Museum E-Newsletter | Page 6 THE TIBET MUSEUM E-NEWSLETTER the two Tibetan self-immolators had taken lodgings was seized by the authorities and turned into the “Lhasa Barkhor Ancient City Man- agement Committee.” The Old City of Lhasa was renamed the “Barkhor Ancient City.”

But the large-scale rebuilding of the Old City by the authorities that resulted from this was actually a case of killing two birds with one stone; it was even more suited to the goals and plans for “maintain- ing stability.” And now, the area in front of the Jokhang, which has borne witness to so much change Adita Arya giving a talk on digitization and archiving at the Secretariat over the ages, has no more of the erishment of the heritage of all the pilgrims from and Amdo Digitization & Archiving nations of the world” and asserting who prostrate themselves all the that “it is incumbent on the inter- Workshop way from the far borders to Lhasa; national community as a whole to no more lamp pavilions in which 6th–7th Feb. 2013 participate in the protection of the thousands and tens of thousands of cultural and natural heritage…” Aditya Arya, a trustee chairman of butter lamp offerings were lit eve- the India Photo Archive Founda- ry day. Only snipers poised on the For these reasons I call on UN- tion, gave a workshop on “Digiti- roofs of Tibetans’ homes, and fully - zation and Archiving Rich Cultural armed soldiers on patrol; only the zations world-wide to stop this Heritage” at the Kashag Secretariat opening of one massive govern- sort of frightful “modernization,” Hall from 6–7 February 2013. The which constitutes an unpardonable workshop was organized by the shopping mall after another, each and incalculable crime against the Tibet Museum and funded by Nor- ancient city of Lhasa’s landscape, wegian Church Aid. - human culture, and environment.I ing the vulgarity and invasiveness call on the many Tibetologists all The workshop was held primarily of these new upstart operations. around the world, the people and to enhance the skills of the pre- organizations studying and re- sent working staff in their archival Forty years ago, when UNESCO searching the Tibet Issue: please work and also to build a network adopted the Convention Concern- pay close attention to the unre- of cooperation among Tibetan ar- ing the Protection of the World deemable misfortune that is befall- chivists in and around Dharam- Cultural and Natural Heritage, it ing the Old City of Lhasa right at sala. Around 18 archivists dealing recognized “the importance, for all this very moment. with archival work in photographs the peoples of the world, of safe- and audio-visuals attended the guarding this unique and irreplace- I hope people from all walks of life workshop. Participants included able property, to whatever people it will launch actions to save the Old archivists from the Department of may belong…” noting that the “de- City of Lhasa! Our Lhasa is on the Information and International Re- terioration or disappearance of any Verge of Destruction! Please, Save lations, Department of Religion item of the cultural or natural her- Lhasa! and Culture, Gadhen Phodrang Of- itage constitutes a harmful impov-

Page 7 | Tibet Museum E-Newsletter THE TIBET MUSEUM E-NEWSLETTER of Tibetan Work and Archives, Ti- coverage on desktop publishing Adobe Photoshop Training betan Medical and Astro-Institute, and social networking, followed 19th–23rd Feb. 2013 Norbulingka Institute and the Ti- by practical training and questions betan Institute of Performing Arts. and answers. Mr.Tashi Phuntsok, Along with the workshop on the then additional secretary of DIIR, preservation of photographs, Mr. The two-day workshop concluded gave the concluding speech and - with an agenda for future planning the workshop ended successfully. ing on Adobe Photoshop at Arena where all the participants unani- Animation Academy in New Delhi mously agreed to meet every three from 19–23 February 2013. This months for brain storming, and Archive Management training included an introduction to build a network of archivists Workshop to all the basic tools, especially healing and stamp tools, which by starting a Facebook page and 2nd–9th Feb. 2013 group mailing list. are of immense help in restor- Tibet Museum staff member ing withered, scratched and dusty Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, secretary of photographs. Poster making, digi- the Department of Information and on archive management held at tal paintings and many other top- International Relations, gave con- the National Archives of India’s ics were covered which made the cluding remarks urging the partici- School of Archival Studies in New training enriching and informative. pants to apply what they learned Delhi aiming for the betterment of during the workshop to make a dif- archive management in the future. ference in their archival work. He The training was for four hours every day during which different of historic photographs and the topics related to archive manage- need for preservation and digitiza- ment were covered. It included tion. basic learning, the systematic way to do photo exhibition, the accu- Workshop & Training mulation and preservation of pho- tos on the computer, management 14th–15th Sept. 2012 of archive rooms and their needs. Participants in the Adobe workshop A workshop training session Proper guidance and lectures were on Adobe Photoshop and InDe- also provided on related topics. As sign was held for two consecu- The Tibet Museum E-Newsletter tive days at DIIR’s Lhakpa Tser- was an eye opening experience and is published bi-annually and wel- ing Hall. The guest speakers were it empowered him to implement comes articles, letters, photos, and Mr. Nyima, the head of Nyimon the knowledge for the betterment related materials that are relevant to and history. Articles Computer Centre, Tashi Phunt- and development of the museum’s photo archive management. may be submitted by e-mail to sok, director of the Tibet Muse- [email protected] um and Mr. Andreas Herkommer. The 13 workshop attendees were all CTA staff members from vari- Published by: ous departments including Reli- gion & Culture, Education, Home, The Tibet Museum and Information & International Department of Information Relations. The breadth of train- & International Relations ing content included the basics of Central Tibetan Administration Photoshop and InDesign, detailed Dharamsala, H.P. India Mr. Andreas Herkommer & Mr. Nyima Tibet Museum E-Newsletter | Page 8