SCE Students Explore the Art of Being Human at Bhutan Echoes Festival
Ten students from Samtse College of Education (SCE) participated in the 15th Bhutan Echoes: Drukyul’s Literature and Arts Festival, held from 1–3 August 2026 at the Royal University of Bhutan Auditorium in Thimphu. Organised under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, this year’s festival was centred on the theme “The Art of Being Human.”
The theme invited participants to reflect on the timeless question, “What does it mean to be human?” in an age where artificial intelligence and rapidly advancing technologies are transforming societies. Through engaging discussions and creative exchanges, the festival explored how empathy, compassion, creativity, wisdom, and cultural identity can be preserved while embracing innovation and technological progress.
Celebrating its 15th edition, the three-day festival brought together 81 speakers from 16 countries, featuring 30 sessions, 11 interactive workshops, 6 book launches, and 3 film screenings. Writers, educators, artists, entrepreneurs, policymakers, filmmakers, and scholars engaged in conversations on literature, education, leadership, storytelling, language preservation, wellbeing, culture, innovation, and the future of humanity.
For the students of SCE, the festival offered an enriching experience beyond the classroom, with a wide range of sessions that broadened their perspectives on literature, communication, education, culture, and innovation.
One of the highlights was the keynote conversation, “The Art of Being Human,” featuring Her Majesty the Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck and internationally acclaimed author Ashwin Sanghi. The discussion explored the importance of preserving empathy, cultural identity, and meaningful human relationships in an increasingly digital world. Students found the session deeply inspiring, prompting them to reflect on how educators can balance technological advancement with human values in shaping future generations.
Another memorable moment was the students’ interaction with Regita Gurung, entrepreneur, communication strategist, and advocate, following her session titled “The Politics of Love: Intimacy, Identity, and Modern Life.” During the exchange, students engaged in thoughtful discussions on identity, communication, and emotional wellbeing, encouraging them to think critically about the role of empathy and self-awareness in both their personal lives and future careers as educators.
The students also participated in workshops according to their interests, gaining hands-on experience in storytelling, manga, visual arts, digital finance, meditation, and creative communication. These interactive sessions complemented the festival’s central theme by encouraging participants to explore what it means to be human through creativity, collaboration, and innovation.
One participant, Dorji Tshering, described the festival as a transformative experience that deepened his understanding of humanity, communication, and education’s role in shaping society. He appreciated the opportunity to interact with distinguished speakers, authors, entrepreneurs, and artists, and hopes more students can take part in such enriching opportunities in future.
The Bhutan Echoes festival was a memorable and meaningful experience for the SCE delegation. Through inspiring conversations, creative workshops, and engaging interactions with distinguished speakers, students gained valuable insights into literature, communication, leadership, empathy, and cultural preservation—reaffirming that education extends beyond the classroom and that literature and the arts remain powerful tools for fostering critical thinking, compassion, creativity, and responsible citizenship.
