Situated in the eastern Himalayas and bordered by China and India, Bhutan rises in just a few hundred miles from steamy jungles to some of the world's highest peaks. No roads led outside of the Kingdom until the 1960s, and access by air became possible only a few decades ago. This isolation throughout its history has provided refuge for its people to live and practice their rich cultural traditions freely.

The Festival celebrated Bhutan's special approach towards life in the 21st century, which, as national policy, is described as the pursuit of "Gross National Happiness." The Bhutanese have chosen a different path towards development, rooted in deep respect for and protection of the Kingdom's unique resources.

With most of its people practicing traditional farming, Bhutan is an agrarian society where people live close to the land that sustains them. Their eco-friendly practices are in part responsible for Bhutan being one of the most biologically diverse and environmentally pristine countries in the world today. Bhutan also is the last country where the Vajrayana form of Mahayana Buddhism is practiced extensively and influences all aspects of daily life.

The Festival brought more than 100 Bhutanese artists, dancers, craftspeople, cooks, carpenters, farmers, and representatives of monastic life who will celebrate the living traditions that define and sustain their culture. Artisans demonstrated Bhutan's thirteen traditional arts (zorig chusum) and specifically how these link the people to the land. Weavers showcased the diversity of complex weaving traditions that have made Bhutanese textiles some of the most coveted in the world today. Sculptors, painters, and carvers demonstrated the skilled arts that continue to adorn monasteries and temples, as well as most Bhutanese homes. Monastic dancers performed ritual masked dances from the highly choreographed and symbolic sacred festivals (tsechus).

Continue to experience Bhutan's cultural heritage with a "Folk Festival in Bhutan," December 13 – 15, 2008. The festival will take place in Punakha, which is approximately 45 miles from Thimphu, with a backdrop of the majestic Punthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong (the Palace of Great Bliss). "Folk Festival in Bhutan" will commemorate 100 years of monarchy and celebrate the coronation of His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the 5th king of Bhutan, with inaugural and closing ceremonies, tournaments for archery and other games, competitions of food preparation, performances, ritual, craft demonstrations by many of the artisans who participated in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and, of course, food. For more information, click here.

Further Reading:
Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon
Essays from the 2008 Smithsonian Folklife Festival Program Book (in pdf format)

Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon
A program sign (in pdf format)