Norwegian musical gift to ex-Bhutan king on 60th birthday

On Easter Eve, about 70 Norwegian musicians preformed together with some of Bhutan's best artists in Bhutan's capital Thimpu.

The concert was a musical gift honouring the 60th birthday of the Fourth Dragon King, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who introduced parliamentary democracy in Bhutan.

Norwegian conductor Per Oddvar Hildre and Jigme Drukpa, Bhutan's first and only ethno-musicologist, made this extraordinary concert a reality.

Mr. Hildre has, through Kulturmix, been exceptional in creating cooperation between Norwegian and international musicians, finding new ground and making new music.

With him to Bhutan he brought 64 choristers and the traditional folk musicians Sondre Bratland, Tone Huelbaekmo and Hans Frederik Jacobsen. They also performed together with musicians from Royal Academy of Performing Arts and the Aa-Yang Ensemble.

The concert was opened by the Minister of Home and Cultural Affairs, Mr. Lyonpo Damcho Dorji, who reminded the audience that the cooperation between Norway and Bhutan has been ongoing for almost half a century.

In 1956, Dr. Busch Haugstad from Norway built a hospital at Parkijuli in India, close to the Bhutanese boarder, for the Santal Mission of the Northern Churches.

The minister said that from day one, the hospital saw a number of patients from Bhutan, especially those afflicted with leprosy and tuberculosis.

After receiving permission from the King of Bhutan, Dr. Busch Haugstad built the Riserboo Hospital in eastern Bhutan in 1967.

The Norwegian Ambassador to Bhutan, Mr. Eivind S Homme, took part in the musical celebration in Thimpu.

"Music knows no national borders. It may convey what is unique for different cultures and people, as well as what we have in common. Music brings joy to our lives," said the Ambassador in his opening address.

This, the probably largest cultural "venture" between Bhutan and Norway included a great variety of songs and music from Norway, and ended with a fantastic joint number together with the Bhutanese musicians.