This is the inaugural issue of the Latse Contemporary Tibetan Cultural Library Newsletter. First of all, I would like to extend my greetings to the people who are reading this newsletter with piqued interest in the Latse Library. In keeping with the general notion of a “newsletter,” this Library seeks to offer readers, through a regular venue, information on Tibetan cultural activities in the recent past or on events planned for the near future. In addition, we would like to introduce readers to special materials in our existing collection or certain new acquisitions through featured reviews. It is our wish, as well, that readers who are keen on certain books, movies, or other audio-visual materials related to Tibetan culture, will support our efforts by sending in their own reviews for publication in this newsletter. At the same time, we hope the Latse newsletter serves as a bridge for mutual understanding between Tibetan writers and literary scholars living both inside and outside the People's Republic of China.
Towards this aim, we shall be translating into English the works of Tibetan writers living in China and thereby introducing them on the international stage, while introducing the works of Tibetan writers elsewhere to their counterparts and literary scholars in China. Since the 1980s, as you are aware, many young Tibetan writers have been studying their own traditional literature and actively engaging in such writing styles. Moreover, they read literature from western countries and other nationalities in Chinese translation and practice these techniques. As a result, these writers have been forging a new literary path for Tibetan literature. To support this process, our library will use the opportunity of this newsletter to introduce in each issue well known contemporary writers and brief passages from their works in Tibetan translation, or new literary perspectives being discussed in the international arena.
We also plan to periodically introduce Tibetan scholars from outside and inside China to important research articles written by their respective counterparts. In this first issue, we celebrate the opening of the Library and include excerpts from statements made at the ceremonies in March. For instance, Gangs-zhun, the principle writer featured in this issue, was among those who shared their poetry and ideas on Tibetan literature at the Latse opening. Finally, we hope readers will take special notice of our upcoming international conference to commemorate the one-hundredth anniversary of the birth of Gendun Chophel and warmly welcome each and every one of you to attend.
Tashi Delek
Pema Bhum
Director Latse Contemporary Tibetan Cultural Library
