This was published 9 years ago
Bhutan International Festival: 'Happiest country on Earth' opens up
By Annie Dang
The country that measures its wealth in happiness, not money, is inviting tourists to share in the joy.
Tucked away in the Himalayans, Bhutan, a remote kingdom in South Asia, claims to be the happiest country on Earth – and it is now prepared to make sure tourists know it.
This year Bhutan is holding its first ever International Festival coinciding with the 35th birthday of the King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The event runs over 10 days, from February 14 to 23, and will showcase Bhutanese and international culture through art, music, film and food.
One of the King of Bhutan's own personal photos is being used to showcase 'the happiest country on Earth'.Credit: His Majesty the King of Bhutan
The country released number of images ahead of the inaugural cultural event, including a photo taken by His Majesty the King of Bhutan himself of a group of smiling young Buddhist monks in front of the King's Palace in the capital city, Thimpu.
The photograph has received traction from international media and has become symbolic of the 'happy' country and synonymous with the festival.
Festivities include art installations, photography exhibitions, film screenings, traditional masked dance, contemporary performances from around the world, and talks on the theories about happiness.
The festival will run concurrently with the Bhutan International Marathon and Losar, the Buddhist New Year.
Losar – the biggest festival for Tibetan Buddhists – is considered to be the most important celebration in Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan.
Bhutan's International Festival is expected to draw in a record number of curious travellers to the kingdom's largest city and capital Thimphu.
"This is going to be a great event. This time of year has the best weather in Bhutan and lowest costs to travel there," said Festival Director, James H. Fitzgerald in a statement.
The International Festival will serve was another drawcard for visitors keen to visit this mountainous nation which measures its output in happiness (GNH -gross national happiness) rather than material wealth (GDP – gross domestic product); an idea that was first proposed by the former king Jigme Singye Wangchuck in the 1970s.
Bhutan opened its doors to tourism some 40 years ago and has since gained a reputation as a remote Himalayan kingdom with a clear conscious for preserving its heritage, culture and natural environment. It was the first country in the world to incorporate environmental protection into its constitution and decree that the more than half the counrty to be covered by natural forest.
However, visiting the country for Australians is not straightforward. While there are connecting flights from Drukair via Singapore and Bangkok, visitors need to book their trip with a licensed Bhutanese tour agency or one of its international partners. They must also spend a minimum $US200 ($A258) per day while in the country (including accommodation and a daily $US65 tourism fee).
Explore the spectacular 'happiest country on Earth' in the photo gallery above.
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