Dharamshala: - In efforts to reach out to a wider audience, the Tibet Museum in Dharamshala joined the 37th International Museum Day on Sunday 18 May. The day also celebrated over 35,000 museums in 120 countries under the theme of 'Museum collections make collections'.
Kalon Pema Chhinjor of the Department of Religion and Culture graced the occasion. He praised the Tibet Museum for its collection of photos that document the detailed story of Tibet's history as well as the Tibetan people's plight and non-violent struggle for the freedom of their country and the injustice that is forced upon them.
Addressing the event, Chhinjor said its "very opportune time for the Tibet Museum to reach out to wider audience by joining the international museum day", he also added, "it will raise greater awareness and clear understanding of the history, culture and the suffering of Tibetans under the China's repressive rule."
He further said the media has the responsibility and plays a vital role in disseminating information on the Tibet issue truthfully and objectively.
A new website was also launched, www.tibetmusuem.org.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Tashi Phuntsok, Secretary for Information & International Relations, said that since its inception in 1998, the Tibet Museum has become a repository of information which enables the story of the Tibetan history, culture, religion to be told; as well as the plight that they have endured under the rule of the Chinese government.
'Its collections have been collated in an institutionalised and scientific way. It engages the international community in issue of Tibet, and connects the younger generation of Tibetans to their roots, and sustains our struggle for freedom and justice.'
Mr Tashi Phuntsok, expressed his delight of the public's response to the Museum, "The people have responded enthusiastically to this event. We have witnessed highest number of people (over 1,400) visiting the museum in a single day till date,"
Mr Phuntsok, who is also the Director of the Tibet Museum said over 50,000 people visit the museum every year. "The new website of the museum would help people who can't visit Dharamshala to learn and understand the issue of Tibet. Its collections of photos and documents would also facilitate the Tibetan communities across the world to organise photo exhibitions in their locality."
There have been many programmes organised at the Tibet Museum for the occasion which included guided tours of the exhibitions 'A Long Look Homeward'. Talks but former Tibetan political prisoners, live demonstrations of thangka (scroll) painting and showcase of costumes of the three traditional Provinces of Tibet. Many schoolchildren also participated in the event, including, TCV Suja and TCV Chauntara, Sombhota school Chauntara, Mewoen PEton school, and Indian Government school.
