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Sherab Lhamo
On July 12, the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development (DCDD) concluded a two-week summer program that was designed to expose students to traditional Bhutanese culture and provide a digital detox during the summer break.
About 204 students (from pre-school to postgraduate) participated in the programme, which was held at the National Library and Archives in Kawangjangsa, Thimphu, and offered a variety of activities focusing on traditional calligraphy, art, dance and music.
Among the participants is sixth-grader Lakzin Zokyi Wangmo, who chose to learn the traditional instrument, the yangqin. She joined the program because she is interested in the instrument and wants to continue playing it, which she has been learning for about five months.
She also shared her plans to learn the pipa in the future.
Another participant, fifth-grader Pema Tandin Zangmo, said that through the program, she learned to play the Dong-Lim (flute) for the first time. She was grateful for the opportunity to learn to play the flute and various songs.
The project is one of a series of initiatives launched by the Ministry of Culture and Development of Bhutan during the 13th Five-Year Plan to teach calligraphy, art, dance and music to young people, who are seen as the future guardians of Bhutan’s culture and traditions.
The project’s coordinator, Yeshi Lhendup, said young people were eager to participate when given the chance, adding that parents also supported their children’s participation.
One of the parents, Tshering Zam, said the project was good as it allowed the children to participate and stay away from their mobile phones.
Another parent, Kinzang Choden, said it was a good opportunity for the children to get involved and learn new things. She added that such projects could provide children with future opportunities.
Many participants said the program allowed them to learn traditional songs and significantly reduced their screen time.
Sophomore Sherab Tobden Tshering said his mother encouraged him to join the program because he spent too much time on his phone.
During the course, he learned Chham dances, specifically Pa Chham and Nga-ging Chham. He said the experience allowed him to spend less time on his phone and more time learning traditional Chham dances.
DCDD plans to continue engaging young people with similar programs during summer and winter vacations to promote and preserve Bhutan’s culture and traditions.
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