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IN BRIEF
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King Jigme Khesar Wangchuck, accompanied by Queen Jetsun Pema and their three children, recently made a memorable trip to Australia. This visit, marked by significant meetings with the Bhutanese diaspora, aimed to celebrate and strengthen the bonds between the Kingdom of Bhutan and its citizens living abroad. This strong moment highlighted the importance of the Bhutanese community in Australia and the development projects initiated by the king for the country and its people.
Warm welcome in Sydney #
On October 10, a special flight from the Bhutanese airline Drukair landed in Sydney, where the royal family was warmly welcomed by Samantha Mostyn, the Governor-General of Australia. This official welcome ceremony took place at the airport, a symbolic first step that paved the way for a series of events intended to meet the Bhutanese diaspora. This trip to Sydney was specifically organized to honor the Bhutanese living in Australia, a country that hosts the largest diaspora of the kingdom.
A dynamic and engaged diaspora #
Bhutan is a small kingdom in the Himalayas, and this visit served to remind everyone of the vitality of its community residing abroad. Approximately 12,000 people born in Bhutan live in Australia, representing nearly 5,000 families, over 3,000 of which have children. This community is a source of pride for the kingdom, and the king wished to express his direct support and interest in their well-being and integration into Australian society.
A meeting imbued with spirituality #
On October 11, the royal family held a special audience for the Bhutanese diaspora. This provided the community members with the opportunity to receive unique blessings, brought directly from Bhutan in the form of nangtens, sacred relics. This ceremony held special significance, as it allowed those who feel distant from their homeland to reconnect with their culture and traditions.
The Gelephu city project #
During this meeting, the king also presented an innovative project: the construction of the Gelephu Mindfulness City, the world’s first mindfulness city. This initiative aims to create a sustainable and peaceful community, and the king emphasized the importance of the diaspora’s involvement in this development. Community members were invited to share their ideas and suggestions to ensure this project positively impacts all Bhutanese, whether they live in their home country or abroad.
À lire the classic and sports car show in the United Kingdom on June 7th and 8th, 2025
An evening of cultural exchanges #
The visit was also punctuated by cultural and artistic events, showcasing the rich Bhutanese traditions. Musical and dance performances rekindled a thrilling sense of returning to roots among Bhutanese in Australia while fostering exchanges between generations. The royal family’s children also participated in these gatherings, creating touching and memorable moments for all.
Toward a strengthened bond between Bhutan and Australia #
In conclusion of this extraordinary visit, the royal family took care to establish a framework for ongoing dialogue between Bhutan and its diaspora in Australia. This strong moment, memorable both culturally and spiritually, strengthened the ties between these two entities, inviting us to envision the future with mutual support and cooperation.
