Deputy Speaker Addresses Closing Ceremony of 40th International Museum Day at Tibet Museum
Dharamshala: The two-day International Museum Day concluded with the an address by the Deputy Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok on 19 May at Tibet Museum in Dharamshala.
The 40th International Museum day and the third participation of Tibet Museum in it since 2014 saw a series of programs like Guided tour of the exhibits, talk series on varied issues like Panchen Lama, Tibetan environment, Tibetan Art and Gender equality; documentary screenings and cultural performance by the students of Mewoen Tsuglag Peton School.
The Deputy Speaker, in his address, pointed out the importance of understanding the history and origin of International Museum day, which has been going on for 40 years. He also elaborated on different kinds of Museums that are set up according to its subjects and purposes.
He added that the ‘Museum itself is a language’ and that it is a medium understandable to both educated and uneducated whereas Library is a medium only for the educated persons. He also quoted that Tibet Museum’s purpose and nature in comparison with other popular and large Museums in Paris, London, New York, Beijing and Kolkata is completely different as Tibet Museum’s objective is spreading awareness about Tibetan history and current situation in Tibet under Communist China.
He warned that if the Tibetan traditional costumes and way of life is not preserved and maintained then it would end up in Museum exhibits and that would be the most unfortunate.
The Tibet Museum is historically significant as it was established in 2000 on the 40th anniversary of arrival of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and Tibetans in exile in India, he said. He also explained that a Museum should be able to explain through its exhibits the reality and facts and not be a propaganda tool like the Tibet Museum in Lhasa.
Prior to the closing address by the deputy speaker, students of Mewoen Tsuglag Petoen School performed Tibetan cultural dance and songs to conclude the two-day International Museum day in Tibet Museum.
