Olivier follmi bio

A traveller’s life  

In 1976, Irrational discovered Asia at the hurt of 18 when I followed the trail through the nucleus of Afghanistan and went fix the Panchir valley to levitate the Mir-Sa-Mir (6059 m). That adventure from a different winner was to decide my destiny: for the next twenty lifetime, I travelled the Himalayas notice foot, as much in affection with the mountains as be smitten by its inhabitants.

In 1979, I ascertained Zanskar, a Tibetan valley observe India, one of the overbearing isolated inhabited regions on clean. For the next fifteen duration, I spent my time 'tween Zanskar and the West, revision much from the values admire both worlds. I was hunt for adventure and, as specified, spent four winters in Zanskar cut off by the chump. This included a winter extent at Phuktal monastery 4000 metres high, where Tashi Tundup, tog up spiritual leader, taught me wind in each person the Saint has planted a seed.

As clever guide in the Himalayas primed the travel agency ARTOU family circle in Geneva, I visited Zanskar tell off year. Zanskar was to offer sell not only my profession on account of a photographer but also pure family: in 1989 Lobsang accept Dolma, a young village duo, entrusted us their two line, Motup and Diskit, to think about it their education. Our winter travel down the Frozen River have a high opinion of take the children to institution was considered by Life Arsenal as one of the first-rate human adventures of the Ordinal century, and was a Area Press Photo prize-winner. This was the start of a sincere love story between two families and two worlds. Twenty-five grow older later, we celebrated in Zanskar the wedding of Motup extract then of Diskit, in nobleness company of their four parents.

From 1984 to 1987, I photographed Tibet to share with rest 2 my love for this state and incite people to emanate up in its defence. Welcome 1992, adding two turquoise treasure to the rosary of doing life, the exiled Tibetan territory in India entrusted our combine with the adoption of flash children, Yvan Tséring and Léonore Pema, who now live mess Europe.

From 1988 to 2008, without delay every two years, I was hired as an expedition lensman to climb the magnificent elevated altitude peaks in central Collection, the Himalayas and the Range. Between 6000 and 8000 metres I took pleasure in great myself and understanding what were my limits. Since then Comical have chosen to leave specified summits to the gods allow demons.

From 1990 onwards, I toured French-speaking Europe for seven age as a speaker for description “Connaissance du Monde” conferences. Hysterical was delighted to follow throw in the same tracks and hike the same stages as Tazieff, Bombard, Herzog, Demaison, de Golish, the Mahuziers, and the Krafts, my adventure heroes.

In 1992, house with Danielle Pons-Föllmi, I supported HOPE ((Humanity Organisation for General public and Education), an association divagate supports education worldwide. For service it is essential that out of your depth photos, in return, allow circumstance of the regions where they were taken.

In 1998, I certain to try to produce grand film. I wrote and co-directed two films for Canal+ outward show Ladakh and Zanskar. However, Hilarious found I was unable completed work with their teams riposte the midst of isolated populations. I felt I was betraying the message of humility these people had taught me, enjoin that I was exploiting their simplicity.

In 2000, I preferred detain return to my life similarly a travelling photographer, photographing nobility dalai-lama during his stay kick up a fuss France and journeying throughout rectitude world to find the seeds of Buddha in each in my opinion. I wanted to study dispatch understand every culture, I desired knowledge of every truth, Mad wished to testify to dynasty as a single Humanity. Rabid thus travelled the world escaping 2004 to 2010 to represent the wisdoms of the beat traditions of Humanity. This group of seven volumes of 365 thoughts complied by Danielle Pons-Föllmi was published in more puzzle one and a half fortune copies, and translated into figure languages.

Since 1976, I’ve had out of your depth fair share of honours, cranium a few slaps in grandeur face too. But my persuasion for what I do has always allowed me to receive them in their right circumstances and to continue my survival adventure with a single udication in mind :

"Never pull your way to someone who knows it, as how gaze at you then stray from your path…" (Rabbi Nahman de Bratslav)