Belonging and Unbelonging

This conversation between writer and journalist Tsering Namgyal Khortsa and educator Ngawang Gyatso will explore themes of exile, identity, memory, and belonging within the Tibetan diaspora. Focusing on the lived experience of Tibetans beyond the spiritual lens often associated with their narrative, the session will examine how literature becomes a space for cultural preservation, political reflection, and personal inquiry.

Tsering Namgyal Khortsa is the author of Little Lhasa: Reflections on Exiled Tibet, a collection of essays and interviews that chronicle the diverse voices and realities of the Tibetan exile community. From political activism and Buddhist practice to filmmaking and English-language literature, the book presents a vivid portrait of life in Dharamsala, seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile, and the evolving identity of a people navigating displacement.

His novel Tibetan Suitcase follows Dawa Tashi, an India-born Tibetan, as he journeys across continents and inner worlds, exploring questions of love, cultural inheritance, and spiritual searching. Told through letters and journal entries, the novel captures the poignancy of existing between worlds, without a homeland, but anchored by memory and longing.

Together, the conversation offers a window into Tibetan life as it is lived today—in exile, in continuity, and in search of home. A Q&A with the audience ll follow.