Forbidden Memory: Tibet during the Cultural Revolution

The Chinese Cultural Revolution arrived in Tibet in July 1966. Upon its arrival, monasteries were systematically destroyed and libraries were looted, rare books and paintings burned. Buddhist scriptures were used as wrapping paper and the Dalai Lama was declared a criminal. Long veiled in mystery, the events that took place five decades ago on the snowy plateaus of Tibet are known to few outsiders. Under the guise of national unity and modern civilization, Chinese authorities have managed to cover up their reign of terror on the Tibetan plateau. Forbidden Memory: Tibet during the Cultural Revolution provides a glimpse of the history of the Chinese Cultural Revolution in the Tibettan Region through the power of never-before-seen photographs, detailed interviews, and cultural analysis. Denouncing the Chinese governments invasion of Tibet, writer and activist Tsering Woeser refects deeply on the ethnic character and cultural traditions of Tibet. The collection of photographs in Forbidden Memory were taken by Woesers father, and reveal how the Chinese government transformed the once-secluded Buddhist state into a hell on earth-sacred temples demolished, cultural artifacts destroyed, monks and nuns humiliated and beaten, and formidable processions of troops, bedecked with flags and banners and they march through the mountains. Tsering Woesers Forbidden Memory brings an end to the silence with an honest look at the disturbing history of Tibet in the latter half of the twentieth century.