Culture
Bhutan's cultural traditions are closely
associated with the Buddhist religion. Visual art, dance
and music are characterized by strong symbolism that
embodies the religion's thoughts on the good victory
over evil. The role of the artists is mainly to
subordinate to the tradition. In general, the knowledge
is passed on in the monasteries.
Monasteries and temples are richly adorned with
paintings depicting the life and works of Buddha and
other prominent personalities. The paintings can be
found both directly on the walls and on canvases mounted
on fabric. Such paintings, thanka, are also in private
homes. Ordinary house facades on homes and shops are
also painted with both decorative patterns and religious
symbols that will keep evil spirits away and ensure a
good life for the residents or shop owners.
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Countryaah:
Latest population statistics of Bhutan, including religious profiles and major languages spoken as well as population growth rates in next three decades.
Sculpting, wood carving, casting of sculptures and
objects as well as gold and silver forging are other
common art forms of great importance for the practice of
religion.
The distinctive architecture is perhaps the cultural
expression most strongly associated with Bhutan. Most
famous are the often multi-hundred-year-old dzongs,
powerful buildings that are usually strategically placed
to function as defense facilities in olden times. There
is a dzong in each province and just over half a dozen
of them are included in the country's most important
building memories. Most dzons contain both civil
administration and monastery and are built around a
number of farms. The lower floors are masonry and white
painted, while the upper floors can be covered with wood
or provided with ornamented and decorated wooden
lanterns. The same principles characterize almost all
civil architecture. Virtually all new buildings,
including modern office buildings in Thimphu, follow the
Bhutanese tradition by law.
 Not even such a modern art form as film is free from
religion and tradition. Director Khyentse Norbu got a
world success with his debut film Football for Buddha
(1999). But he is also one of Bhutan's most revered
religious personalities and recognized as a
reincarnation of a famous Tibetan lama monk in the 19th
century. His second film Travelers and Magicians (2003)
was the first to be filmed in Bhutan.
In June 2012, the famous 16th century temple Wangdue
Phodrang burned to the ground. The temple in eastern
Bhutan is at a height of 1,350 meters in a place where
two rivers flow together. Most of the valuables inside
the temple could be saved and the temple is now being
rebuilt. It is expected to be completed in 2021.
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