Italy supports Dalai Lama

MILAN, Oct 20 (AFP) - Tibetan spiritual and political leader, the Dalai Lama, won the Italian government's support here Wednesday with a call for the preservation of Tibetan culture.

The Dalai Lama opened an exhibition on Tibetan art and spirituality on the second day of a nine-day trip to Italy, devoted partly to publicising his call for China to grant autonomy to his homeland.

Italian Culture Minister Giovanna Melandri pledged her country's support for the Tibetan cultural cause and called for more frequent and more profitable exchanges.

Referring to Tibet's recent history, Melandri said: "Not only do we have feelings of admiration, but also of solidarity for the wrongs and the injustices that have been suffered by a small people."

Melandri also told the Dalai Lama: "Personally, I would like the Italian government to establish with you in what form it could contribute to the conservation of the extraordinary testimony of the history and culture of Tibet, and increase the exchanges between our cultures."

The Dalai Lama, described by the minister as "a builder of peace", pointed out the importance of cultural diversity and also paid tribute to China.

After highlighting the contribution from India, he added: "China, our other great neighbour, has a culture which stretches back thousands of years and is also of an undeniable importance and richness."

Various aspects of Tibetan life were historically influenced by contact with China, from textile trade to food, he said, while other regions of the country drew from ethnic Mongol way of life.

"Tibetans showed that they were willing to integrate all these different influences from neighbouring cultures," he said.

"Tibetan culture is not only ancient but also rich... and it is very important and relevant to the situation humanity today... and it is important to preserve (it).

"Many of those who have studied Buddhist Tibetan culture have realised that it can make a contribution to everyday life."

The exhibition opened by the Tibetan leader is dominated by a towering golden Buddha built for Martin Scorsese's 1996 film "Kundun" about the life of the Dalai Lama.

The visit opens with a selection of 10 photographs of the Tibetan leader, taken by Henri Cartier-Bresson and Martine Franck. The number was chosen to mark the 10 years since the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Pictures taken in 1937 and 1948, two years before Chinese troops were sent into Tibet, by Italian photographer Fosco Maraini are also on show.

The exhibition continues with Tibetan religious paintings and murals, ornaments, objects used during rituals such as incense-holders, water jugs, cymbals and ceremonial daggers, and texts written on parchment.

Space is also devoted to the importance in Tibetan life of dance and theatre, with various masks and garments on display, jewellery and also non-religious works of art.

The Tibetan leader had spent the morning at Milan University, discussing a range of issues with students and academics, including a 15-minute debate with university head Paolo Mantegazza on genetic engineering.

The Dalai Lama said that the development of human knowledge could in some cases create new problems, and that only with humility and dialogue could they be solved.

"For that reason, 'dialogue' should become a subject of study in schools," he told ANSA news agency.