The Bhutanese Leading the way.
His Majesty The King, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen and members of the Royal Family graced the opening of the 4th Royal Bhutan Flower Exhibition on 25th April at the Thangzona in Punakha.
The exhibition this year celebrates Bhutan- India friendship, as the two countries mark 50 years of diplomatic relations. The Ambassador of India to Bhutan participated in the opening ceremony of the exhibition, which includes an Indian Garden developed by the Indian Embassy in Thimphu.
The Prime Minister, senior government officials, and foreign dignitaries also attended.
The 4th Royal Bhutan Flower Exhibition is spread over 9.75 acres of the Thangzona ground adjacent to Punakha Dzong. Government agencies, entrepreneurs, and international participants from India as well as Thailand have prepared the installations and theme gardens. The Central Monastic Body, which resides in Punakha during summer months, has also participated in the exhibition this year for the first time, along with two schools – Punakha Central School and Ugyen Academy.
The theme gardens developed for the exhibition include some that will remain a permanent feature of the Thangzona following the exhibition.
A long-term plan to develop the landscape around Punakha Dzong has been developed by MoAF in consultation with the Department of Culture and Punakha Dzongkhag Administration. The activities shall be carried out in phases following the Royal Bhutan Flower Exhibition 2018.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forests manages the Royal Bhutan Flower Exhibition, with the support and participation of a number of agencies, entrepreneurs, and international partners such as Thailand’s Royal Project Foundation.
The Royal Bhutan Flower Exhibition was initiated upon the Royal Command of His Majesty The King, and is aimed towards fostering an appreciation for beautiful public spaces, bringing together communities through public events, and providing a platform for entrepreneurship in floriculture and horticulture in Bhutan.
The first Royal Bhutan Flower Exhibition was held at Paro Ugyen Pelri Palace in April 2015.
Her Majesty Gyalyum Tshering Yandoen Wangchuck, as the Royal Patron for the RBFE, works closely with the event each year.
In the morning, Their Majesties, with His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and members of the Royal Family, offered prayers at the Punakha Dzong to observe Zhabdrung Kuchoe.
