Taipei: A week-long exhibition focusing on modern Tibetan history and the global advocacy of the Dalai Lama has opened in Taipei, showcasing quotes and artworks that emphasize human rights and highlight China’s repression of Tibetans, Hongkongers, and Uyghurs.

According to Focus Taiwan, the exhibition is the first to be organized by the Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan (HRNTT) and is being held at Xinfu Market, a cultural venue in Taipei’s Wanhua District. Titled “From the Snowy Ridges to the Ocean of Wisdom,” the event aims to raise awareness of Tibet’s struggle under Chinese rule and the Dalai Lama’s broader human rights concerns.

Tashi Tsering, HRNTT secretary-general and a Taiwan-based Tibetan, emphasized the significance of holding such an exhibition in a free and democratic country. Tashi Tsering recalled meeting the Dalai Lama prior to founding the organization in 2016 and was inspired by the spiritual leader’s call to focus not only on human rights in Tibet but also in China, and for the Uyghurs, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

To further this mission, HRNTT collaborated with civic groups in Taiwan to organize the exhibition. It features quotes from the Dalai Lama supporting causes like LGBTQ+ rights, the abolition of the death penalty, and solidarity with Hongkongers and Uyghurs. Additionally, artworks by artists from Tibet, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, inspired by these themes, are on display.

Sharon Lai, an early visitor to the exhibition, expressed that Taiwanese people should be concerned about issues related to Tibet. She noted that both Taiwan and Tibet share a “common, powerful adversary” in China, which claims sovereignty over both regions. Lai highlighted the cultural differences between Taiwanese, Tibetans, and Chinese, underscoring the shared values of freedom and democracy.

The exhibition, which also includes talks on human rights in Tibet and beyond, is set to run through July 6, coinciding with the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday.