It's not often that royals attend festivals, but Bhutan's Mountain Echoes literary festival, which kicks off Friday in Thimphu, is a notable exception.
- Pedro Ugarte/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
- The festival takes place against a Himalayan backdrop in Bhutan's capital. Above, a partial view of the the capital.
Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorju Wangmo Wangchuck will be taking part – and not just for the inevitable inaugural address.
She'll be participating not only in her role as one of her country's top dignitaries, but also as an author. Her book – "Treasures of the Thunder Dragon: A Portrait of Bhutan" – will be the starting point for one of the festival's highlights: a conversation between Her Majesty and India's ambassador to Bhutan, Pavan Varma. After their session, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck may also make an appearance.
The festival, which takes place against a Himalayan backdrop in the country's capital, will last until May 23. Now in its second edition, the aim of Mountain Echoes is to showcase Bhutanese literature and poetry and to provide a forum for Himalayan culture more broadly, says Mr. Varma, who conceptualized the festival.
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