An exhibition titled “A Long Look Homeward” of photographs, detailed narrative text, and video clips of a journey through Tibet’s history as narrated by Tibetans in exile opened successfully on February 7 at Jacob Kaltur Kirken in central Oslo, Norway. The exhibition which will last until February 11 was inaugurated by Mrs. Kesang Y. Takla, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Northern Europe. In her opening address Mrs. Takla said that the contents of theexhibition were based on actual experiences of Tibetans and the photos displayed were taken during the actual development of the sad situation following China’s occupation of Tibet.
Mr. Öytein Rakkenes, a well-known Norwegian journalist, compered the programme of the exhibition that portrayed the situation of Tibet before occupation, then the occupation and destructions, followed by exodus of Tibetans into exile, and the future non-violent aspirations of the Tibetan people.
The programme also included traditional Tibetan dance by members of the Tibetan community in Norway and a performance by the internationally well-known violinist Mrs. Son –Mi Chung, who had performed during the awarding of Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1989. His Holiness was awarded this highest international recognition for leading the non-violent Tibetan struggle for freedom and for his efforts at promoting world peace.
A group of students from the popular Rudolf Steiner School performed Norwegian traditional songs, which were highly appreciated by a packed hall audience of over 450 people that also included politicians and representatives of various organisations.
In his address, Mr. Björn Lapstun, representing the SOS Children’s Village, Norway, recalled his experience 40 years ago when he was involved in receiving the first Tibetan students in Norway. He also mentioned SOS’s involvement in assisting Tibetan children in exile as well as SOS’s international programmes.
Among other speakers, Dechen Pelmo, a young Tibetan girl born in Norway, shared her experiences of being brought up in two cultures. Many people found her story very moving.
The event concluded with the screening of the film “Escape Over the Himalayas”, a documentary about Tibetan children’s dangerous escape across the Himalayan mountains into exile. The documentary film moved the audience to tears and even the technicians in the hall became emotional. Since then many people have requested that this film be shown during the duration of the exhibition days.
According to Mr. Sonam Dugda who helped to install the exhibits, this was the best opening of the exhibition so far in Europe in terms of audience number and response. Mr. Dugda, a staff of the Tibet House Trust in London has been involved in organizing “A Long Look Homeward” exhibition in the past.
Members of several Tibet Support groups had informed Mrs. Chungdak Koren, Chairperson of the Tibetan Community in Norway and board member of the Norwegian Tibet Committee, how they felt highly moved and motivated by the exhibition and the positive response.
This exhibition is organized by the Women’s section of Norwegian Tibet Committee, with support from SOS Children’s Village of Norway, Fokus (Forum for Women’s Development), Institusjonen Fritt Ord (Institute for Free Speech) and Students for Free Tibet-Norway.
The travelling exhibition “A Long Look Homeward” detailing contemporary Tibetan history and prospects for the future was last shown in Europe in London in January at the British Parliament under the aegis of the UK-All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet. As with all such exhibitions, those who saw it learned about the tragedy that has befallen Tibet and how the Tibetan people are struggling to keep alive the human spirit for freedom and survival of the unique Tibetan culture that is a part of the world’s heritage and also has the potential to help humanity at large.
