Literature serves as a powerful medium to connect people across time, cultures, and backgrounds. It is through literature that humans find a common thread that unites them in shared experiences, emotions, and ideas irrespective of where you are from or what religion you follow. Understanding this power of literature, Bhutan initiated Mountain Echoes, the country’s first literary festival that brings together artists from all walks of life. Participants of the latest edition of the festival now called Bhutan Echoes say it is encouraging to see literature helping in connecting people in a modern society.
Dechen Wangdi, a co-founder of Humans of Thimphu is one of the speakers during Bhutan Echoes.
At the festival, Dechen introduced Humans of Thimphu which is a storytelling platform run by a group of youth.
With over 400 stories, they have been able to connect readers and storytellers through their stories and promote a sense of belonging.
He shares that such platforms like the Bhutan Echoes will further empower people through literature.
“A lot of the time in modern society, it is not common for people to be open about the situations that they go through. This leads to feelings of isolation. Through our stories, readers realise that they are not alone, that there are others like them which empowers them.”
Like Dechen, there are other young and passionate Bhutanese pursuing literature as a medium of storytelling.
Dorji Om, the winner of the video storytelling competition at the festival in the Dzongkha category highlights the importance of Dzongkha as well as English literature in the Bhutanese society.
“Not only storytelling in Dzongkha but Dzongkha literature itself is important not only for students but for all citizens. We should make use of opportunities such as the ones provided by Bhutan Echoes and other opportunities too. With globalisation, we have to promote not only English but Dzongkha as well,” said Dorji Om, a student.
“These past years, we have been trying to collect those who have an appreciation for writing, storytelling, literature and we have been trying to gather them through our programmes virtually or in person. We are trying to connect them together to create a community that feels inclusive, that encourages and promotes literature,” said Pema Dema, Programme Officer of Bhutan Echoes.
Bhutan Echoes has been promoting inclusivity, providing equal opportunities to all artists since its inception in 2010 to promote literature in the country. It plays a significant role in fostering connection by offering insights into diverse backgrounds.
Organisers say Bhutanese artists have the potential to express themselves well through literature, and that such platform is crucial for them to grow and contribute to the growth of literary society in the country.
Tshering Deki
Edited by Phub Gyem
