There is more to Bhutan than its sheer beauty. This year, in August, literary enthusiasts will be able to live the experience as the eighth edition of the 'Mountain Echoes' literary festival will take place in Bhutan from August 25 to 27. India-Bhutan Foundation, in association with literary agency Siyahi, powered by the department of tourism and government of Rajasthan, will organise the three-day festival, which will provide a collaborative platform for cultural dialogue and encourage the exchange of ideas, stories and experiences.
The 2017 edition will see eminent personalities from across the world come together to discuss a range of topics including art and culture, natural history and environment, spirituality and Buddhism, business and leadership, poetry, fashion and food. Renowned authors who will be present include Markus Zusak, an Australian author known for his international best-sellers such as The Book Thief; Francesca Beard, a London-based writer and performance poet; American television host and author Padma Lakshmi; author Ashwin Sanghi are some of the renowned names who will be present. The inauguration ceremony will be held on August 24.
Kyabje Khedrup Rinpoche Ugyen Tenzin Thinley Lhendup; ace photographer and filmmaker Pawo Choyning Dorji; Khenpo Sonam Bumdhen of the central monastic body; and front-runners of the Bhutanese fashion world—Chimmi Choden and Chandrika Tamang will mark their presence in the festival.
Other well-known authors set to attend the 2017 edition of the festival include Prayaag Akbar, award winning journalist and author of the bestselling book, Leila; leading mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik; Sahitya Akademi Award winner Jerry Pinto and Sharanya Manivannan, author of the critically acclaimed The High Priestess Never Marries: Stories of Love and Consequence among others.
'Mountain Echoes' literary festival was established under the patronage of the Royal Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. The 2017 festival will also embrace and explore globally relevant issues like environmental conservation, natural history, spirituality and the global evolution of textiles and design traditions, amongst others, thereby bringing together a range of expertise and perspectives on stage throughout the three days.
Festival co-director and celebrated author Namita Gokhale said, “Over the last eight years 'Mountain Echoes' has established itself as one of the most thoughtful, moving and evocative celebrations of literature anywhere on our planet. The shared narratives of Bhutan and India, and of mountain regions everywhere, expand the space for insights across cultures and geographies.”
Echoing Namita’s thoughts, festival co-director Pramod Kumar K.G. said, “Mountain Echoes goes beyond just literature and books. It is a festival that celebrates ideas, creativity, and culture. Each year we aim to make the festival bigger than last year, curating a program that is enriching and inspiring. This year will be no different as the eighth edition promises to keep the audience engaged through a series of thought-provoking workshops and sessions.”
Festival co-director and founder of Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy, Siok Sian Dorji, called it a confluence beyond art between the two countries. “Over the past seven years, Mountain Echoes has received positive feedback in Bhutan and encouraged participation from people across the country. The vision of the festival is to present a confluence of literature, art and music from both India and Bhutan. This year's specially designed programme will enable audiences to engage in whatever form of storytelling inspires them. Masterpieces on canvas, storytelling as a performance art, literature—there's something for everyone. The festival, as always, is free for everyone,” he said.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the eastern Himalayas, Mountain Echoes literary festival is supported by a panel of advisors, which include Bhutan’s secretary of ministry of information and communications, Dasho Karma W. Penjor, acclaimed authors Kunzang Choden and Malvika Singh, publisher Meru Gokhale, member of parliament Pavan K. Varma, and development specialist and writer Sonam Wangmo Jhalani.