His Majesty The King graced Day 1 of the 7th Royal Highland Festival in Laya. The 7th edition of the festival takes place on 23 and 24 October, 2024.
The Royal Highland Festival in Laya, launched in 2016 as a Royal initiative of His Majesty The King, celebrates the rich culture, traditions, and livelihoods of Bhutan’s highland communities.
It features traditional highland games, animal shows, highland food and products, as well as songs and dances, all set against the backdrop of majestic mountains.
The festival brings together highland peoples from across the country to celebrate their unique way of life, vibrant heritage, and wealth of traditional knowledge and wisdom that has enabled these communities to thrive in some of the most challenging terrains on earth.
The Royal Highland Festival showcases the diversity of Bhutan’s cultural and ecological heritage and aims to benefit highland communities through tourism and the promotion of highland products.
The Laya Run, a 25Km race from Ponjothang in Gasa to the showground in Laya, is held annually alongside the festival.