The Libraries' spring exhibit will highlight a collection of photographs of the ethnic highlanders of Vietnam that was recently donated to the Southeast Asian Archive. The traditional culture of these tribes came under threat during the Vietnam War and has been largely decimated in the years since due to forced relocation policies of the current government. Joseph Carrier, who spent time among the highlanders while posted to Vietnam as a RAND Company researcher during the 1960s, shot the majority of the images and donated them in 2006. Some images were taken during the War, and some were taken during a trip to Vietnam in January 2007. The more recent shots will be added to the collection. Also on exhibit will be original artifacts on loan by the opening night speakers.

The opening night program will be held on May 15 in Langson Library and will feature a panel of experts who have lived and worked with highlander tribes: Mr. Carrier, who has a Ph.D. in Anthropology from UCI, anthropologist Jackie Mayer, and Mike Little, who was a U.S. soldier posted to the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The panel will be led by Charles Wheeler, UCI Professor of History, who is an expert on the history of Vietnam. During the evening we will also honor Anne Frank, who will retire as Southeast Asian Archive Librarian on July 1st after a lengthy and distinguished career in the UCI Libraries. For further information please call 949.824.5300 or email partners@uci.edu.