What better venue to discuss climate change than the lush kingdom of Bhutan, where around 60 per cent of its land is designated as protected in biological corridors?
In fact, the tiny Himalayan kingdom recently reaffirmed its commitment to conservation when 108,000 trees were planted to celebrate Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck’s birth.
And that’s the reason that the seventh edition of Mountain Echoes Literary Festival, (organised by the India-Bhutan Foundation in association with Siyahi) will open with a conversation on the issue with novelist Amitav Ghosh. This, of course, will be in the context of his latest book,The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable.
It is brilliant to have Amitav Ghosh speak about something so urgent and pertinent in Bhutan, which is the place to talk about it.Namita Gokhale, one of the festival’s directors
Between August 25 and 28, various landmarks across the country – such as the picturesque Royal University of Bhutan and the majestic Clock Tower – will be transformed into brilliant backdrops for art and literary events, featuring voices from around the globe.
However, with the festival focusing on its vibrant culture, ancient history and key contemporary issues, Bhutan has become more than just a backdrop – it provides the context to explore newer dialogues in art and literature.
Bhutan is an ancient kingdom and also one of the youngest democracies in the world. The dynamics of this incredible continuum and change is the heart of the festival.Namita Gokhale
How Kelly Dorji is Leading Bikers Through Bhutan
Besides a dialogue on climate change, the festival, this year, also attempts at creating narratives around travel. The inaugural edition of ‘Bonfire Tales’ wants to achieve just that.
For three days prior to the festival, actor Kelly Dorji is leading participants on a bike to some of the most breathtaking landscapes of Bhutan – whether it is the Phobjikha valley in the Black Mountains or the centuries-old monasteries – all the while discovering local cuisine en route.
It’s always been Namita’s dream to have storytelling by the riverside. However, we couldn’t do this in the past due to some logistical issues.Mita Kapur, founder and CEO of Siyahi and festival producer
She was toying with this idea when a friend suggested that they combine storytelling and biking with the help of Dorji, who has been a friend of the festival, is a hardcore professional biker and owns a travel company.
His (Kelly Dorji’s) father is a renowned environmentalist and has been the chief advisor to the royal government on environmental issues. So, for two nights and three days, Dorji has taken participants to some of the most picturesque spots ahead of Paro, where they are lodging at some of the most beautiful hotels and his father is narrating stories around the bonfire.Mita Kapur
A Potpourri of Travel Writing and a Dash of Bollywood
Sessions on travel writing will take this spirit of adventure and exploration forward. For instance, Dhamey T Norgay, the youngest son of Tenzing Norgay – the first person to summit Mount Everest – will talk about the fear of climbing.
There is also a wonderful session on Everest by Norwegian author Odd Harald Hauge, who has written a book about the subject.Namita Gokhale
Gokhale also feels that Pico Iyer’s talk on The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere, will resonate with the audiences. The festival will also have an entire day dedicated to children and young adults with sessions by Paro Anand, Venita Coelho, Edwin Thumboo, and more.
The children’s sessions are hugely rewarding. Bhutan has a very good schooling system and the kids come up with the brightest of insights.Namita Gokhale
With Indian cinema having a huge fan following in the country, there is usually a session with a film personality. While last year, Kalki Koechlin performed a monologue at the festival, this year Tabu will be speaking with Dorji about asserting her position in the competitive Hindi film industry.
An assortment of art and culture events will accompany the sessions, with an exhibition on Jogi art by Tulika Kedia and photographs by Dorji Dhradul of the beautiful Gasa region. There will also be workshops on how to tell a good story by Sonam Wangmo Jhalani, a guide to brand building by Piyush Pandey and a guide to Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan by Yeshi Lhendup.
We have never tried to keep the festival static around words alone. The arts are very much a part of its fabric.Namita Gokhale
(Avantika Bhuyan is a freelance journalist who loves to uncover the invisible India hiding in nooks and crannies across the country.)
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