Forsaken Paradise: De-mystifying Shangri La
Wednesday, November 28, 7:30 p.m., Max Bell Auditorium

Many westerners view the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau as Shangri La — the last paradise. Living and working there since 1984 has given Cynthia Hunt a different view. Behind the idyllic mountain scenes the people of Ladakh confront devastating dryness and cold, high infant mortality, and a lack of basic education and health resources.

On Wednesday, November 28, Mountain Culture at the Banff Centre presents Cynthia Hunt’s Forsaken Paradise: De-mystifying Shangri La. During her presentation Hunt will introduce the people of Ladakh and their dreams for a better future and will talk about her work in sustainable development in one of the most inhospitable regions on earth The presentation takes place at 7:30 p.m. in the Max Bell Auditorium.

Many Bow Valley residents are familiar with Cynthia Hunt’s work and the plight of the Ladakhis through a connection established over ten years ago between Banff Elementary School students and the children of the Ladakh refugee camps. Working with Hunt and BES teacher Mary Paston, Banff students raised money and supplies for Ladakh and exchanged art work through the annual Artventure program. Contributions by Banff residents helped build a solar-heated health clinic in Ladakh in the 1990’s. For many Banffites, Hunt’s lecture will offer an opportunity to reconnect with Ladakh and its people.

Tickets for Cynthia Hunt’s presentation are $5.00, free to Mountain Culture members, and can be purchased at the door.