Preview: Mountain Echoes Literary Festival 2016, Thimphu, Bhutan

Preview: Mountain Echoes Literary Festival 2016, Thimphu, Bhutan

Started as an initiative by the India-Bhutan Foundation in collaboration with Siyahi, a literary agency, Mountain Echoes is a vociferous mouthpiece for the languages, myths, stories, folklore, traditions of the Himalayan belt and its people.

This year, the gathering will coincide with the 400th anniversary of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel’s arrival, and there’s no doubt that a conversation about him, the ruler credited with being the first to unite Bhutan as a single nation, will be integral to the program.

Mountain Echoes has positioned itself as a niche, boutique festival; a cocktail of cerebral content and entertainment that hits just the right tones.

Source: CNN

The event kickstarts with eminent author Amitav Ghosh’s presentation on climate change, and there couldn’t be a more apt setting, for Bhutan prides itself on being the world’s first carbon negative country.

Artwork by the Jogi family of Rajasthan promises to be a feast for the eye, and you can enjoy musical performances by rock band, Indian Ocean, amongst others.

Several workshops on creative writing, brand building (by the infamous ad man Piyush Pandey!), yoga, photography, are on the itinerary as are interactive sessions on travel, cinema, food, role of women and geo-political trends.

For the adventurous, Bonfire Tales, a motorbike trip through valleys and plains to sample authentic Bhutanese culture, ought to be exhilarating. Kelly Dorji will lead the inaugural expedition on a discovery tour of religious sites, monasteries, art and local cuisine.

Helmed by stalwarts such as Mita Kapur (CEO of Siyahi) and Namita Gokhale, reverberations of the festival’s success echo far and wide. The mountains come alive for three days to witness a cultural exchange of ideas, words, and music. Be there!

For more information, check their website and stay abreast of the latest festival updates by following them on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

Featured image source: Vogue

Words by Pavi Sagar

1 COMMENT

  1. […] Last year’s edition focused on climate change, women’s voices and travel writing, with presentations by Amitav Ghosh, artwork, performances by The Jogi Family and Indian Ocean too, and a stellar lineup including Pico Iyer and festival patron, Her Majesty the Royal Queen Mother of Bhutan, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk (herself an author). Read our preview of the 7th edition here. […]

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