German scholar Yusefsson: The transformation of Tibetan literature in the Western context is, in the final analysis, the result of Tibet's development and opening up

Source: Global Times

Editor's note: Since the peaceful liberation of 70 years ago, international exchanges related to Tibet have been increasing day by day, and the image of Tibet in Western literature has gradually developed from a single "Western Tibet" to a pluralistic Tibet. Chinese Tibetan literature has also undergone a transition from magic realism to realism. "How to tell about Tibet is indeed a very difficult thing." Chen Xiaoming, former director of the Department of Chinese at Peking University, told the Global Times that both Chinese and foreign writers are exploring the magic and mystery of Tibet, "but how to express it more accurately and profoundly through literature, and more closely integrate it with people's destiny, rather than making things up, this is what Tibetan literature is doing." ”

Let's Go to the Himalayas! cover

"Due to geographical, cultural and linguistic barriers, Tibet has long been seen by Westerners as the 'last pure land' on earth. But in the early Western Literature of Tibet, not only is Tibet a vague concept, but the protagonists are almost all Westerners, looking at Tibet from a condescending perspective," Yusefsson, a scholar of international literature in Berlin, Germany, said in an interview with the Global Times reporter, british writer James Hilton's 1933 novel "The Vanishing Horizon", the protagonist Kang wei is British, the leading lama is European, they are like "senior officials", and the real Tibetans have become "supporting characters". The fictional travelogue "Under the Apothecary of Tibetan Monasteries" published by the Frenchman Jean Marc Rivière in 1929 and "The Third Eye" published by the Englishman Pubu Lobsang Jampa in 1956 belong to this category.

After the peaceful liberation of Tibet, more and more international writers, journalists, and scholars went to Tibet to conduct in-depth cultural experiences, which changed the situation of "one-sided" Western Tibetan literary works. In 1976, Han Suyin, a Chinese-English writer, visited Tibet and wrote "Lhasa – Flowers of the Stars", showing the Western world her record of her field trips to Tibet. In her later years, Han Settled in Switzerland, the largest Tibetan settlement in Europe. When individual human rights organizations make noises that mislead Tibet's perceptions, Han Suyin will refute them by explaining his observations in Tibet through local media. She also explains the history, culture and current situation of Tibet through special lectures and other forms. There are many people of insight like Han Suyin, such as American journalist Anna Louis Strong, and American Expert on China Oxenberg.

Since the 1980s, as China's national power has become stronger and stronger, many Western cultural people have realized the misreading of Tibet. In recent years, there have been more works exposing the West's misconceptions about Tibet. In 2009, the German writer Tom Kann published the novel "Tibet Project", which introduced many real histories about Tibet and corrected the image of Tibet promoted by Western public opinion. Tom Kann once said in an interview with the media that for many Westerners, Western media coverage is the only way for them to understand Tibet, and Western media coverage of Tibet is usually negative and one-sided, which makes most Westerners have a very narrow understanding of Tibet. "There is a German proverb: When you hold a hammer in your hand, all the problems you see look like nails. But the Tibet I see is completely different from what Westerners think of. "Tom Kann said he saw Tibet as modern, with many new factories and breweries using German technology." I communicate with the locals and many of them are satisfied with their current life. Tibetan culture and traditions such as Tibetan dance and thangka painting have been well preserved and developed, and some universities have also offered thangka courses. On the street, many people dressed in Tibetan costumes can be seen making pilgrimages to the Jokhang Temple. They can choose their own way of life and also preserve their religious traditions. ”

Academic works such as "The Struggle Around Tibet : The History, Background and Prospects of International Conflict" written by the Luxembourg scholar Albert Edtinger have revealed the backward and "Tibetan independence" forces in old Tibet and have broken down all kinds of Western lies about Tibet. In recent years, there have also been a number of writers in Europe who have written Tibetan works. Among them, the German female author and science journalist Uli Olveti, who has the highest best-selling list, has written more than 10 books on Tibetan and Tibetan Buddhism. For example, "The Hidden House" writes that the young Charles met the Tibetan "monastery" in the Himalayas and began a profound change in his heart there. "Let's Go to the Himalayas", which has appeared on several European bestseller lists! How to go to Shangri-La? ), written by Katja Link, a German female doctor of medicine. In a relaxed tone, this travelogue records that she and her 11-year-old daughter began their journey to Tibet in the Himalayas, and were infected by the magnificent scenery of Tibet and the simple Tibetan people, feeling courage and love.

The shift in Western attitudes toward Tibetan literature is also reflected in the increasing emphasis on the work of Chinese writers. The Tibetan writer Alai, who is known for his works on Tibetan themes, is one of the most popular Chinese writers in Western publishing houses, and his "King Gesar", based on Tibetan epics, has been launched in multiple languages around the world at the same time, which is very popular with Western readers. "The transformation of Tibetan literature in the Western context is, in the final analysis, the result of Tibet's development and opening up." Yusefsson said that in the future, China can more actively promote Tibetan literature and let more international readers understand a modern and pluralistic China from literature.