A Lasting Friendship: A Film of His Holiness, The Fourteenth Dalai Lama, and Austrian explorer, Heinrich Harrer, in Hüttenberg, Austria, 1992.
For more information about the photographs in the Heinrich Harrer Limited Edition Portfolio, visit harrerportfolio.com/
Learn more about the Heinrich Harrer Limited Edition Portfolio - Seven Years in Tibet, 1944-1951: • Interview with The Fou...
A Lasting Friendship -
Featuring Tenzin Gyatzo, The Fourteenth Dalai Lama, & Heinrich Harrer, noted Austrian explorer and author of SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET, 1944-1951, interviewed in Hüttenberg, Austria, 1992
TRANSCRIPTION OF VIDEO:
HHDL: As I wrote in the book, now that we are getting older, at this moment, it reminds me of those happy days in a happy country. Heinrich with my elder brother, they really understand the nice times. In some cases, a little bit of mischief. (Laughter)
Interviewer: How did you come to him?
Harrer: Oh, that’s a long story.
HHDL: Oh, yes. First, the Tibetan government employed him. He had a pleasant temperament. He was easy to get along with. So then, first, my elder brother had become close friends so, through that way, eventually, I called him at my place to do something about my generator and movie projector. So, that way, we started to learn English. My stupid teacher, my stupid student! (Laughter.) So, like that!
Harrer: We both learned English together. That’s way we speak so good! (Laughter.)
Interviewer: What is the legacy of the seven years Heinrich Harrer has spent in Tibet?
HHDL: I think while he was in Tibet, one obvious thing is the … (Tibetan.) (Harrer translates Tibetan into German to the interviewer.)
His greatest contribution for Tibet is his book. I think, that book was read by hundred thousands of people in the outside world so that I think was his greatest contribution. So, even today, despite his age…
Harrer: I’m not old! (Laughter.)
HHDL: …he is very much involved. He is very, very active in helping for Tibetan rights, and how you say, Tibetan freedom. This shows, I think, genuine friendship is not changing. Once we know each other, we become friends, then through all life, we remain friends and offer mutual help. For that, I appreciate him.
Harrer: I think, also, when we arrived in Lhasa, we were really, nearly dead. We had blisters. We had no food and we were broken. And, then the Tibetans received us. They showed us their hospitality. And your parents were the very first to ask us. Ngari Rinpoche was born and they invited me to his birthday party of your parents. At moment we were invited in the house of the parents of His Holiness, we were free because no one would have dared to say anything against us since His parents had received us. We were personae non gratae. We suddenly became like Tibetans!
Then the monks picked us up. We were received and we spent seven years there. We were so happy. It was the best time of our lives.
Who would have thought that of all places in the world, we would have to escape again? First, I escape from prison camp, then, I have to escape from Tibet! So, I had to go again.
Now, you had to leave the country, too! I am so fortunate now that I can give a little bit back. The Tibetans have given to me while I was there and I became one of you. It’s not only a duty but it’s a great joy for me to do something now. It’s the Year of Tibet. I think they’ve done a lot and I look forward to be in Vienna when we have another chance to get support for your country and for your people.
Interviewer: Thank you so much!
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For more information about the photographs in the Heinrich Harrer Limited Edition Portfolio, visit harrerportfolio.com/
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© 2022 Leslie DiRusso, Publisher. All Rights Reserved. THIS VIDEO IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED
2 июл 2023
