DRESS REHEARSAL FOR SMITHSONIAN SHOW
17 March, 2008 - A formal dry run of the exhibition will be opened on Monday as Bhutan gears to participate, for the first time, in the Smithsonian Folk-Life festival in Washington DC, USA later this June.
His Royal Highness Dasho Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck will lead the curators’ group to the exhibition, which runs the gamut from the 13 arts and crafts to a paradigm of monastic arts and rituals, music, sports, textile, footwear, architecture, traditional medicine and environment, that portray Bhutanese lifestyle as keen on holy pursuit of life and GNH as the over-riding theme.
According to the director of the department of culture, Dorji Tshering, the show is being organized to prepare the participants for the festival. “It’s a special honour to be associated with such a world famous festival,” he said. “Bhutan is the focus nation for this show. We want to make it presentable in the best manner possible.”
The participants are all seasoned artists, with some of them having worked in their field for as long as 20 years. “I’ve made the highest number of masks in the country and I’m confident of demonstrating my art in Washington,” said shakzo (mask maker) Pelden Dorji from Tashiyangtse.
“It won’t only showcase our intact traditions and arts, but will also give us a new perspective of looking at the world around us,” said Singye Karmo, an embroidery teacher of the 13 arts and crafts school. “I’m optimistic that taking part in this festival will open up brighter future for tourists’ intake because of our unique arts.”
The Smithsonian Folk-Life festival is held annually at Washington DC. It encompasses folk-life and diversity of lifestyles as its core component. The festival is a scene of right to cultural democracy and Bhutan will be taking part for the first time in its 42nd round.
The actual dry run of the exhibition will be launched officially on Monday.
~ By Tashi Dendup, Kuensel, Bhutan's National Newspaper.
