AV News 189 - August 2012
Massed Morris Dancers to open Olympic Games!
by Malcolm Imhoff FRPS
In your dreams!
Jill keeps twisting my arm to write an article about 'Land of the Thunder
Dragon'. I keep saying "but everything I want to say is in the AV!"
Hopefully, the message I want
to get across in the sequence is
that in Bhutan we have a
beautiful country, with a beautiful
people, where children are
brought up to know and respect
their songs, stories, music and
dance. Where natural resources
are valued, conserved and
managed sustainably. Where the
people have an enormous and
mutual love and for their King
who is held in great esteem.
The government respects the people, and its
policies are considered and planned to enhance
individual happiness, and the long history of
traditional culture is treasured and supported.
They could teach our rulers a thing or two
about how to run a country. It's so different from
the culture of selfishness and greed here, where
government and media not only have little
understanding or respect for our traditional
culture or roots - they ridicule it.
"My vision of hell is three folk-singers in a pub
near Wells" (Kim Howell, Culture Minister, 2001)
When I was in Bhutan I was very blessed with
the fortune to be there to see the preparations for
the coronation of the new King. In the Royal
Palace I was privileged to see the rehearsals
where there were masses of traditional singing
and dancing.
Do you imagine that there'll be any
traditional English music or dance at
this year's Olympic Games opening
ceremony? Of course not.
Bhutan, the last remaining great
Himalayan kingdom, is no ordinary
place. Accessible only to a fortunate
few, it is a privilege to visit this beautiful
country where happiness is more than
a dream. If you get a chance to go
there, don't hesitate.
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