On 21st February at 6:00 AM, the sacred sounds of prayer marked the beginning of the Lungta Art Festival. Monks from Pangrizampa Monastery commenced the day with prayers, accompanied by the melodious sound of the of drilbu and drums. We joined the nation in offering our prayers for the long life of His Majesty The King.
The launch was more than an inauguration — it was a moenlam, a collective aspiration. The year-long Lungta Art Festival celebrates the goodness inherent in all of us. Curated through a contemplative approach, the festival offers a serene and reflective space where art becomes a bridge between the spiritual, social, and environmental dimensions of our lives. Rooted in the symbolism of Lungta — the Wind Horse that carries prayers and aspirations — the festival invites deeper reflection on intention, action, and responsibility.
By 5:00 PM on the launch day, guests began arriving mesmerised by the grandeur of the gate designed just for the festival. The gathering grew into an inspiring and diverse crowd, representing all age groups, with young people forming the largest group of participants. Visitors engaged with 140 artworks presented by 60 artists, each contributing to a shared dialogue on culture, spirituality, and ecological consciousness.
The festival features multiple engagement spaces designed to encourage participation and reflection. Some visitors paused at the entrance, looking at the lungta and the details of the installation. Others were drawn to the “Lungta Saa” (Lungta recitation) bus, immersing themselves in the experience of collective prayer. Many explored the installations, paintings, and interactive spaces that invited both admiration and active participation.
“There is so much to experience — from paintings to spaces where I can participate. This is a wonderful exhibition.” Guest
In a moving moment of unity, guests joined together to offer a birthday song to His Majesty The King and prayed for the fulfillment of His Majesty’s aspirations for the nation.
The Voluntary Artists’ Studio Thimphu (VAST) team shared the objectives of the Lungta Art Festival:
- To promote the interconnectedness of social, cultural, and spiritual values for societal growth, peace, and harmony.
- To create awareness and encourage environmental stewardship in our fragile mountain ecosystems.
- To foster positive social and behavioral change through a shared, transformative process of community engagement.
The Lungta Art Festival is beyond an exhibition — it is a year-long journey of contemplation, dialogue, and collective awakening. Through art, prayer, and shared participation, it is a reminder to each one of us to reflect on the aspirations we raise into the wind and the responsibilities we hold on the ground.
For many visitors, the experience was both eye-opening and deeply reflective:
“I did not know what the festival would really mean, but in the last few hours, I learned so much about Lungta. I have never thought deeply about the polyester, or about the true practice of impermanence. This is amazing.” Visitor at the launch
As the Wind Horse rises, may our intentions be carried with wisdom, compassion, and care for the world we share.
The festival is open to everyone and free of charge throughout the year, welcoming all members of the public to engage, reflect, and participate.
The inaugural exhibition, Unveil, will run until the end of March and is open daily from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, except on Mondays.
The artist community is grateful to everyone who joined us to celebrate and will join us to celebrate the LAF. The Unveil is supported by a grant from the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art.
Bhutan Broadcasting Service News coverage https://www.bbs.bt/239044
