The stage is set. Tomorrow night, five finalists step into the spotlight for Rhythm of Bhutan, the grand finale that will crown the country’s first-ever representative at the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026. The winner will carry Bhutan’s voice to Bangkok, joining a new pan-Asian stage, later in November.
After months of auditions and live performances, the field has narrowed to five. Tomorrow, on a stage beamed live on BBS from 7 PM onwards, they compete for a place in the country’s musical history.
The finalists are Karma Drupchu, The Sangay Lhaden Band, Thukten Nyendra, Pelden Wangchuk, and Baeyul 301. Each will perform an original song.
For the winner, the reward is far more than a national title. It is a ticket to represent Bhutan.
“If I ever get the chance to represent Bhutan on the world stage, then it would mean the world to me. It is the most beautiful possible. I always wanted this and wanted to do this, and I cannot see myself doing anything other than this,” said Thukten Nyendra, Finalist.
For these young artists, the competition is also an opportunity to take Bhutanese music and creativity to an international audience.
“I am very nervous being on stage. During the rehearsal today, we got so many tips and reviews, and we learnt so many things which I never knew before in my life so far. If I win, it’s going to be a big pride for me to represent Bhutan, and I think it will be the happiest moment, an opportunity that we have been waiting for to showcase our culture and our music on the bigger stage,” said Sangay Lhaden, Finalist.
That bigger stage is itself a first. Eurovision Song Contest Asia marks the first time in the competition’s seven-decade history that the format has expanded beyond Europe. According to the European Broadcasting Union, the inaugural edition will bring together broadcasters from ten Asian nations under Eurovision’s familiar motto, ‘United by Music.’
“We’ve been working on this show probably for six, seven months. And this week, everybody’s rehearsing, everybody’s on stage. The talent is amazing. We’re going to have an amazing show. I think it’s the biggest show that’s ever been done in Bhutan. And we’re all excited, and everybody’s getting ready,” said Assaf Blecher, Executive Producer, Eurovision Asia.
The winner will be decided through a combination of jury and public voting. The professional jury will account for 40 per cent of the final score, while audiences in Bhutan will contribute another 40 percent. The remaining 20 per cent will come from international viewers.
Each voter will receive eight free votes after scanning the voting QR code. Three of those votes must go to the songs, while voters may decide how to use the remaining five votes.
The QR code can be scanned only once per phone. Those who wish to cast additional votes can purchase a package of ten votes.
The Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property is funding the event.
Sherub Dadron Palzom and Pelden Wangchuk
Edited by Sonam Wangdi
