Honorable Mention TOKYO-2019 Editorial / Photo Essay

Monlam (Tibetan New Year) In Labrang Monastery

  • Photographer
    Corneliu Cazacu
  • Agency / Studio
    Corneliucazacu.com
  • Technical Info
    1/160, Iso 640, F/2.0, 20 Mm, Nikon D850,
  • Photo Date
    19.02.2019

The third day of Monlam (Tibetan New Year) is characterised by the display of butter sculptures (a large panel made up of smaller panels). This year the Chinese authorities closed the Labrang main temple square and evicted everybody except for the praying monks during the build-up and the monks´ prayer. Kilometer-long queues ensued, with worshippers waiting in the snowstorm and some watching the filmed ceremony on two large screens at two entrances to the monastery compound. The series is a veiled, poetic criticism of censorship.