Bhutan has the reputation as being the happiest place in the world and prides itself on its index of Gross National Happiness. Whether Bhutan’s claim to the happiness pedestal is hype, or verifiable fact, Bhutan is a remarkable place! A small country, Bhutan is nestled in the Himalayas between China, India, Tibet, and Nepal. Steeped in Buddhist tradition which commands respect for the environment and all creatures in it, discipline, and acceptance, Bhutan prides itself on basing its governmental decisions on their impact on the collective happiness of the country. Not that long ago, Bhutan was closed to the outside world, but as it has opened up to tourism, it has also worked hard to hold onto its traditions while trying to build the infrastructure to allow a balance of modernisation and tradition. At least four factors contribute to Bhutan’s charm and spirit: the place, the people, the culture, and the hopefulness that these elements will persist into the future as reflected through the children of Bhutan. This large format photobook explores these themes through four interdependent sections of fine art photographs shot in either full frame medium format or 35 mm and presented with accompanying native insights into Bhutan and Buddhism.
