On September 16, an interesting exhibition that explores through the sensitive and watchful eye of French photographer Laurent Zylberman opens at the Rita Castellote gallery in Madrid. It will explore the meeting of two profoundly different cultures, following the occupation of Tibet by China.

The exhibit is simply and clearly entitled “Tibet”, and features documentary photographs, about the unusual, sometimes funny and sometimes violent clashes which occur in a region inundated by immigrants and the shows the impact of the seductive “Made in China” consumerist mentality has on the totally opposite Tibetan spirituality.

In 2008, Zylberman and fellow journalist Eric Meyer are among the few Westerners granted permission to enter the region of Tibet with official authorization to make a report. Their collaboration shows a reality about which previously we could only speculate on, marked by high surveillance and the ubiquitous presence of the Chinese.

However, we also find images that show evidence that Tibetans remain firmly entrenched in their ways and beliefs, strong even before the imposition of a materialistic value system which is marked by the desire for an economic future. And so we see a rapidly developing Tibet, a region in constant work, which increasingly resembling China with airports, roads and irrigation systems … with clubs that seduce young Tibetans with Western music.

And so the latent promise of progress marches forward, but we must keep in mind that it is a dubious achievement, which advances at the rhythm of Chinese greed, and discredits the ancient cultural identity, which has shaped the lives of generations of nomads in Tibet.

Rent apartments in Madrid, and witness the rich culture to be found in the city’s galleries, and do not miss the opening of this impressive exhibition to be held in the Rita Castellote Gallery.