pictures of tibet
Rae forwarded the following email to me about a presentation being given at the University of Delaware by an award winning photojournalist:

The UD Chapter of Amnesty International will be hosting Steve Lehman, an expert on the Tibetan struggle for independence, on March 26.

When: Tuesday March 26, 7:00pm
Where: Kirkbride 205

Mr. Lehman will be presenting on his experiences with the people of Tibet specifically related to the era of pro-independence that began with demonstrations in 1987 that he photographed and broke the story of to the Western world.

"In his multimedia presentation, Steve weaves together photographs, Tibetan voices, personal anecdotes and political analysis to create a narrative that is both accessible and informative. The lecture addresses the evolution of the contemporary political unrest in Tibet, non violent political struggle, U.S. policy toward Tibet, Tibet's future, coverage of Tibet in the media and working as a photojournalist in a repressive country. In light of recent attacks on the United States. the lecture is particularly relevant because of its emphasis on tolerance and the resolution of conflict through peaceful means."

Mr. Lehman's award-winning photobook "The Tibetans: A Struggle to Survive" will be on sale, and Steve will signing it after the lecture.

A review of The Tibetans: A Struggle to Survive tells us that Steve Lehman went to Tibet to spend a year photographing a:

visual anthropology of an 'untouched culture' whilst at the same time 're-examining his own life experience'.

What he captured on film were the stirrings of revolution.

CNN has an interview online with Lehman, and a description of some of his visions in Tibet during that time:

Just out of college, Lehman took his camera and documented the bloody Chinese National Day demonstrations on October 1, 1987. "To witness people being shot dead in the streets ... it had a very, very powerful impact on me."

The monks especially moved Lehman; despite their vows of non-violence he saw them pick up stones and hurl them at police and soldiers in one of the most dramatic clashes of the independence movement.

Davidson College had a visit from Steve Lehman last April, and seemed to have been entranced by his presentation:

In a refreshingly casual manner, Lehman presented slides and pages from his book The Tibetans: A Struggle to Survive, which was recently named as "Best Book" in the prestigious "Pictures of the Year" photo competition. His photographs have also been featured in publications such as National Geographic and Time.

Thank you Rae. This looks like it's worth setting an evening aside for. I'm looking forward to the author's reflections of the events he captured on film.

Visiting amazon.com, the reviews for the book are all overwhelmingly positive. An award from the National Press Photographer's Association is not something given lightly.

Here's a map of the campus if you are interested in attending, and don't know where Kirkbride Hall is located. Kirkbride is in the center of the map, closest to the intersection of West Delaware Avenue (W. Del. Av., as they label it) and South College Avenue.