Bhutan and India have traditionally shared close bilateral ties, with the latter continuing to have an impact on the former’s foreign policy, commerce, and defence. These relations of course, extend to state formalities as well – Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, on Friday paid homage to Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi.
The head of the Himalayan Kingdom visited the BJP headquarters, and placed a wreath on Vajpayee’s mortal remains, as per reports.
Bhutan also happens to host an annual literary festival in its capital Thimphu, which sees in attendance not only a whole range of eminent speakers from neighbouring India, but also attracts many students, and tourists who throng to the socio-cultural event.
The 9th edition of the event, which is to take place from 23 to 25 August this year at the Royal University of Bhutan, aims to provide a collaborative platform for cultural dialogue, and encourages the exchange of ideas, stories and experiences on a wide range of topics, including spirituality and philosophy, music, dance, environmental conservation, food, political history as well as film and theatre.
This year’s edition of the Mountain Echoes literary festival, is an initiative of the India Bhutan Foundation, in association with Siyahi, and will celebrate 50 years of formal diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan.
The ninth edition of the festival will host a wide range of speakers from across the globe including senior journalist and author Ajoy Bose, veteran actors Naseerudin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, celebrity chef and LGBTQI activist Ritu Dalmia, American poetess Sara Kay, noted Indian dancer Sonal Mansingh, among others.
An initiative of the India Bhutan Foundation, and India’s leading literary consultancy, Siyahi, the festival has been hailed as a cultural bridge between the two countries. Among the topics on the festival calendar are global and locally relevant subjects related to natural history, travel and poetry, including a tribute to 50 years of the Beatles in India. Her Majesty the Royal Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck is the Chief Royal Patron of the festival. Namita Gokhale, Pramod Kumar KG, Siok Sian Dorji and Tshering Tashi are the Festival Directors.
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