The kingdom of Mustang, where Tibetan Buddhist tradition continues, is emerging as a beacon of community-directed art conservation and resurgent culture. Sacred temples dominate the medieval capital Lo Monthang. Following centuries of deterioration a mural restoration project has taken place over more then 20 years, directed by conservator/photographer Luigi Fieni. This included training the unskilled Lobas in Western conservation methods. This extraordinary initiative led to a vibrant cultural renaissance in the kingdom.

Tibetan Mustang celebrates the region and its cultural heritage through beautifully reproduced photographs by Luigi Fieni and Kenneth Parker that document the cultural revival of the region. They document the sacred temples that dominate the medieval capital, Lo Monthang, showing how centuries of deterioration have been reversed through a careful restoration project led mainly by Fieni. Over the course of more than twenty years, Fieni worked with the local Loba people, whom he trained in Western conservation methods, to repair damage and bring the interiors and their detailed murals back to their ancient glory. The restoration of the sacred murals has also helped drive a reawakening of Buddhist traditions in Mustang, which Fieni and Parker document both visually and through accounts of the cultural and religious life of the Loba. The resulting book is a celebration of one of the world's most beautiful places and the life, spirituality, and culture that have long flourished there.

Tibetan Mustang: A Cultural Renaissance, Luigi Fieni, Kenneth Parker, Hirmer Verlag GmbH, Hardcover, 248 pages, $70.00

Luigi Fieni is the Mustang project lead art conservator and photographer, works restoring ancient Buddhist art across Asia, published and exhibited worldwide.

Kenneth Parker is a large format photographer, working principally in remote areas producing a body of work in traditional film formats, widely exhibited and published.