Worlds Together: Tibet

The latest program in producer Elmer Hawkes' long-running cultural appreciation series for young people looks at the tiny region of Tibet, a formerly independent country that has been under Chinese occupation since 1950. Called “the roof of the world,” Tibet is known for picaresque mountains, Buddhist monasteries, and rural life that revolves around agricultural cycles. Featuring footage of the gorgeous Himalayas (including the north Mt. Everest Base Camp), outdoor markets in the capital of Lhasa, and the Chinese and Tibetan sections of second-largest-city Shigatse (the Tibetan area is described as a place where “time almost seems to be standing still”), the program also follows a pilgrimage to Lake Namtso, looks at ancient rock paintings, and details the importance of monasteries, which serve as everything from meditation centers to burial sites to printing houses. And for budding foodies, there's even passing mention of yak enchiladas. Without being overtly political, Worlds Together: Tibet nevertheless explores how Tibet is struggling to preserve tradition while also being pressured to change. Recommended. Aud: I, J, P. (J. Williams-Wood)