You can’t help but smile in Bhutan

After watching a Tug-of-War competition, the King’s Army defeating the National Volleyball Federation, we followed music to the Centenary Park on the Thimphu chu (river) and discovered rehearsals for a youth dance championship competition. Sponsored by B-Hapqy, a made-in-Bhutan handicraft company employing young people, the competition takes place over ten evenings and is held to encourage the teaching of dance in the schools and the preservation of traditional Bhutanese culture. Teams come from all over western Bhutan to compete and 2000 competitors are expected. We made a donation and they were kind enough to introduce Dr. Steve and Dr. Margaret as sponsors from the US. Pretty cool. Besides two traditional categories, they had a open category. The break dancers were amazing but I haven’t found any of their videos yet.

Click on a few of the performance rehearsals to put a smile on your face.

Here’s one with the 45 ft standing Buddha in the center of the park: