Bhutan Echoes: A literary and artistic feast to inspire, develop and awaken

Yangel Bin Laden

Bhutan’s premier literary festival, ‘Echoes of Bhutan: Drukkyor Literature and Arts Festival (DLAF) 2024’ will kick off this Saturday, offering a vibrant celebration of the rich literary, cultural and artistic traditions of Bhutan and the world.

Co-founded by Bhutan’s Queen Mother Dorje Wangmo Wangchuck, DLAF is a joint initiative of Bhutan and India and has become a vibrant cultural exchange platform since 2010 with the support of the Indo-Bhutan Foundation and the Indian Embassy.

Over the past 14 years, the festival has attracted curious and creative talents from around the world with its captivating blend of literature, art and storytelling. By showcasing local literary and artistic talent alongside internationally renowned voices, the Echoes of Bhutan Festival celebrates the country’s rich cultural heritage while embracing a global perspective.

This year’s theme, “Inspire, Develop and Arouse,” invites participants to embark on a journey of discovery and personal growth, encouraging deep reflection on Bhutan’s timeless literary and artistic traditions while fostering a spirit of positive transformation and global connection.

“When we started working on this year’s theme, we came up with three words – enlightenment, development and arousal,” said a DLAF official. “Our thinking this year was that we needed the festival programme to reflect our cultural heritage, which is deeply connected to Vajrayana Buddhism, but also to delve into and spark conversations about the changes around us, both at home and abroad.”

DLAF is unique in that it attracts renowned literary figures from around the world. This year’s speakers at DLAF come from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities.

“The sessions are carefully planned to allow international and Bhutanese speakers to discuss various global and regional issues in the local context,” the official said.

Attendees can expect insights from Thukten Yeshi, a Bhutanese filmmaker and novelist and author of The Unreachable Monk, Roopa Pai, an Indian journalist and author best known for the award-winning bestseller The Bhagavad Gita for Children, Anton Hur, a South Korean writer and translator shortlisted for the 2022 International Booker Prize, and Micael Dahlén, a Swedish professor named a top researcher by Advertising Magazine.

Some of the discussions and presentations at the event included “The Future of Water: A Shared Responsibility” with Mridula Ramesh and Tenzin Wangmo, “Economy, Consumerism and Well-being: A Mindful Approach” with Micael Dahlén and Sangay Tshering, and “Female Leadership: Lessons from Social Entrepreneurship” with Stacey Edgar and Dorji Ohm.

According to a DLAF press release, the festival’s lineup promises to inspire, educate and entertain.

There will also be a series of panel discussions on topics including ‘What do women writers write about?’ and ‘What does it mean to be Bhutanese: Exploring identity in the digital age.’ Participants can also take part in immersive workshops including ‘Flamenco Dance Workshop’, ‘The Art of Writing’ and ‘Playing on Paper’, all guided by passionate mentors.

Festival goers can also attend readings by renowned authors and watch films from around the world.

The workshops will be held at various locations including the Pema Hotel, a luxury hotel in Thimphu, NWCC and the Bodhi Temple. The three-day DLAF will end on Monday. Entry is free for all participants.