August 18: With just over two months left for the coronation celebrations, preparations are in full swing. The Department of Culture is planning several cultural programmes, games and sports for the historic day.

The Coronation and Centenary celebrations are two important events to be celebrated this year. During the celebrations people from across the country will be taking part in various cultural activities including mask dances from different parts of the country. People from as far as Laya, Merak and Sakteng will exhibit their culture during the celebrations.

The Director of the Department of Culture Dorjee Tshering said apart from local people, performers from abroad will also take part in the celebrations.

He added that there will also be variety of games and sports both traditional and modern. Cultural activities are expected to start from the last week of October and continue till December 17 when the Nation celebrates the National Day.

Consecration and renovation of Lhakhangs and Dzongs around the country are also in the pipeline ahead of the celebrations.

Doriee Tshering said with a number of tourists visiting the country, it will also be an opportunity for the Bhutanese people to exhibit the country’s rich cultural heritage to outside world. He said other important preparation works have also begun in earnest.