October 24

Georg August Wallin (1811–1852) was a Finnish explorer, orientalist, and professor of Arabic. Disguised as a Muslim pilgrim, he conducted ethnographic and linguistic studies in the Arabian Peninsula. Wallin collected rare manuscripts, inscriptions, and cultural observations previously unknown in Europe. His research provided valuable insights into Bedouin life and Arabic dialects. After returning to Finland, he became a professor at the University of Helsinki, influencing future orientalists. Wallin’s adventurous spirit and scholarship advanced Western understanding of the Middle East.

Alexandra David-Néel was a pioneering explorer and writer who devoted her life to studying Eastern religions and Tibetan culture. Born in Brussels in 1868, she traveled extensively through Asia, mastering Buddhist philosophy and meditation practices. In 1924, she became the first Western woman to visit the forbidden city of Lhasa, disguising herself as a Tibetan pilgrim. She documented her journeys in influential books such as 'Magic and Mystery in Tibet' and 'My Journey to Lhasa'. Her work introduced Western audiences to Tibetan Buddhism and inspired future generations of spiritual seekers. David-Néel lived to the age of 100, passing away in 1969 in France.