As the nation marked the historic 70th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Bhutanese across the world rose as one – united in gratitude, devotion, and an unshakable love for the Monarch who shaped the nation’s destiny. From the mountains and valleys of Bhutan to the farthest corners of the world, the celebrations carried a single message: the bond between the Bhutanese people and their King transcends borders, time zones, and distance.
The week became a global tapestry of heartfelt tributes, sacred offerings, and joyful gatherings. Whether in crowded halls or small living rooms, every celebration carried the same emotion—deep reverence for the King who gave everything so his people could stand tall in peace, dignity, and prosperity.
In Perth, Australia, the air vibrated with Bhutanese songs and the warmth of hundreds gathering in honour of the Great Fourth. Families dressed in their finest national attire, children performed cultural dances, and elders offered prayers with tears in their eyes. Thousands of miles away, Bhutanese living in New York City, the Middle East, Europe, and across the Asia-Pacific marked the day with equal devotion. And in places where only a few Bhutanese reside—scattered across small towns or remote cities—families lit butter lamps quietly in their homes. These intimate celebrations, though small in number, were vast in spirit, proving that love for His Majesty lives deeply in hearts everywhere.
Across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the devotion was unmistakable. In Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and especially Kuwait, Bhutanese communities came together in remarkable unity. Under the warm guidance of the Embassy of Bhutan in Kuwait, the celebration unfolded with profound sincerity: butter lamp offerings illuminated the hall, Zhabten prayers filled the space with spiritual resonance, and the gathering listened together to His Majesty The King’s Royal Address to the Nation. Cultural performances, shared meals, and a heartfelt Tashi Labey brought the ceremony to a joyful conclusion, reminding every Bhutanese present of the blessings of belonging.
But the most extraordinary offering was the collective recitation of over one million Vajra Guru Mantras, completed by Bhutanese across the GCC region by 11 November 2025. This united spiritual effort, carried out by ordinary people living far from home, was undertaken with three sacred intentions:
— To pray for the good health and long life of His Majesty the Great Fourth, whose unparalleled leadership safeguarded Bhutan’s sovereignty, peace, and happiness.
— To invoke blessings for the success of His Majesty The King’s visionary endeavours, especially the Gelephu Mindfulness City, which promises new opportunities for future generations.
— To offer aspirations for global peace and harmony, at a time when the world continues to grapple with conflicts, division, and uncertainty.
Across Australia and New Zealand, Bhutanese communities mirrored the same spirit of reverence and pride. In Perth, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, Armidale, Sydney, and Auckland, Bhutanese gathered to offer Zhabten prayers, perform cultural items, share meals, and honour His Majesty with the cutting of beautifully crafted cakes. These gatherings were filled with joy, but also with a tender sense of longing for home – reminders that, even far away, Bhutanese hearts remain deeply rooted in their motherland.
Canberra’s celebration carried a special and emotional significance. The event was graced by Hon. Dr. Penelope Wensley AC and Ambassador John Philip McCarthy – the first two Australian Ambassadors to Bhutan who once presented their credentials to His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. Their presence added a layer of history and warmth to the gathering, bridging decades of friendship between the two nations. The program featured the launch of a Gelephu Mindfulness City tribute song by Ngawang Dorji and his group, further connecting the celebrations to the forward-looking vision of His Majesty The King. With more than 500 Bhutanese in attendance, the hall pulsed with patriotism and heartfelt gratitude. Brisbane too marked the day with the release of a musical tribute video that touched the hearts of many.
Perhaps the most moving celebration unfolded in Perth, where the Bhutanese community, supported by the City of Perth, hosted the first-ever Bhutan Festival dedicated to His Majesty’s 70th Birth Anniversary. Organised by the Association of Bhutanese in Perth Incorporated (ABPI), the festival transformed the city into a vibrant showcase of Bhutanese culture. For two days, Perth witnessed the beauty of Bhutan: its music, cuisine, traditions, and unwavering sense of community. “Our hearts are full,” the organisers said. “Every Bhutanese stood as an ambassador of our beloved country.” The festival not only celebrated the Great Fourth but also introduced thousands of Australians and international visitors to Bhutan’s warmth and spirit.
In Canberra, the evening resonated with the feeling of coming home. “Though far from Bhutan, our love for the King and our unity as Bhutanese transcend distance,” the Australia-Bhutan Association of Canberra (ABAC) expressed, extending gratitude to the Royal Bhutanese Embassy for guiding and blessing the event.
Around the world, Bhutanese embassies and consulates echoed the same reverence—offering prayers, lighting lamps, and fostering spaces where Bhutanese could come together to reflect on the legacy of the Great Fourth.
In every corner of the globe, the celebrations—grand or intimate, public or private—formed a collective expression of gratitude to a Monarch who gave everything for his country. His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo is not only loved; he is deeply cherished. And this week, as Bhutanese across continents gathered to honour him, something profound came alive: a nation’s soul.
It was a week when Bhutan, no matter where its people lived, felt like one home, one family, one beating heart.
Ugyen Tenzin
From Thimphu
