 |
Helvetas
|
Swiss
Development Projects
|
 |
 |
Bhutan's Development |
| Swiss
Exhibition in Bhutan Text |
|
|
Bhutan's Development |
|
|
 |
|
Swiss
Exhibition in Bhutan 2004
|
 |
| Beneath
an exclusively modern and urban society famous the world over for its watches
and chocolates Switzerland has a rich traditional culture.
The
public in Thimphu are catching a glimpse of this face of Switzerland through
a Swiss arts and crafts exhibition which was jointly opened by the foreign
minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk and the Swiss ambassador to Bhutan, Mr
Walter B Gyger.
The
two week exhibition showcases some of rural Switzerland's finest works
of wooden, ceramic, metal and textile arts never seen or known to most
Bhutanese.
The
carnival masks
"Through
this exhibition you will discover a face of Switzerland that is more than
often blurred by the widespread image of Switzerland as an exclusively
modern and urban society," said ambassador Mr Walter B Gyger adding that
were many similarities between the arts and crafts of Bhutan and Switzerland
even though the two countries were geographically and culturally far apart.
Bhutanese
foreign minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk said that the exhibition highlighted
the importance that both the countries placed on preservation and promotion
of their rich culture and traditions. "The exhibition will serve to promote
more appreciation and admiration of the great arts and crafts of the people
of Switzerland and inspire further avenues of cooperation and friendship
between the people of the two countries." |
|
According
to one of the visitors at the exhibition, most of the artifacts on display
had their themes drawn from a rural background which was 'remarkably similar'
to rural Bhutan.
One
of the main attractions at the exhibition are the massive cowbells, cast
in Tyrol (Austria), with elaborately decorated leather straps from the
largely agrarian society of Appenzell in East Switzerland. According to
the organisers, the cowbells were only used during cattle migration to
and from the alpine pastures.
The
roughly craved wooden carnival masks with animal teeth and horsehair were
another exhibit that drew the visitors' attention. The masks are believed
to go back a long way although the first written references to them date
back only from the 19th century.
According
to the organisers, Helvetas, Swiss agency for development and cooperation
(SDC) and the department of culture, the exhibition is aimed at providing
a better understanding of Switzerland among the Bhutanese.
"I
hope that the exhibition will contribute in increasing mutual understanding
between Switzerland and Bhutan and increase the friendship existing between
our two people and thus contribute to a world of peace and harmony," said
ambassador Gyger.
Though
formal diplomatic relations started only in 1985, the cooperation between
Bhutan and Switzerland date back to the early 1950s when the late King
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and the Von Schulthess family shared a close and
personal friendship.
Official
Swiss assistance started in 1972 with the first Swiss project on integrated
rural development in Bumthang. Helvetas was later established in Bhutan
in 1975. Since than, Switzerland has been actively involved in the development
of Bhutan's education, culture, rural infrastructure and renewable resources.
| Contributed
by KUENSEL, Bhutan's National Newspaper, April 19, 2004 |
 |
|
