Royal Bhutanese Embassy, Brussels
The Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Brussels, led by Ambassador Tshoki Choden, joined the Bhutanese community in York to celebrate the 116th National Day of Bhutan. Comprising mostly students, Bhutanese living in York and across the United Kingdom attended the event, which was coordinated by the Bhutanese Wellbeing Association of the United Kingdom.
The day’s programme began with singing of the national anthem and offering of Zhabtoen for His Majesty The King’s long life.
Addressing the gathering, Kutshab Tshoki Choden conveyed the warm greetings of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen to all the Bhutanese, and expressed happiness at being able to mark this auspicious occasion with the largest Bhutanese community in Europe. Recalling the sacrifices and contributions of our visionary Monarchs and forefathers, Kutshab underscored the importance of the National Day and the pivotal role that Bhutanese living abroad play in the development and well-being of Bhutan. She urged all Bhutanese to remember their roles as the Ambassadors of Bhutan, highlighting the importance of appropriately representing Bhutan wherever they are located, to contribute to the positive image and essence of Bhutan beyond our borders.
The address was followed by screening of a video on the Gyalsung National Service Programme and a cultural programme put together by the Bhutanese in York.
In parallel, a celebration was also organized at the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Brussels, hosted by Mr. Tsheten Wangyel, the Deputy Chief of Mission. Bhutanese studying and living in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg attended the celebration. The event commenced with the lighting of butter lamps, hoisting of the National Flag and National Anthem and offering of Zhabten for His Majesty The King. After a reflection on the significance of the National Day, a video on the Gyalsung National Service Programme was screened followed by the screening of His Majesty’s National Day Royal Address. The Embassy also organized a simple Bhutanese lunch for the gathering.
