So it has happened: Eurovision song contest Asia has kicked off with its first national final and its first winner. And so it happened that I happened to be at home and accidentally noticed the show is about to start and ended up actually watching it.
To be fair the live stream was crap at times and the sound quality not the best. I hadn't heard the songs beforehand but it seems by favorites finished last and second to last while the winner seeemed to be clear from the beginning judging the screams in the apparently tiny tv-studio where the over enthusiastic hosts Keizang Dolkar and Phub Tshering run the show with four stern looking judges and the five entries with a string of interval acts that were all... well, dancing or singing in national costumes.
Yes, the national costumes! To be honest I knew nothing about Bhutan before this afternoon but the past couple of hours I learned it is required by law to wear national costumes (gho for men and kira for ladies) in every day in public institutions school, state offices and any formal event. It's a major part of Driglam Namzha, the official code for good manners and dress and a symbol of national identity, unity and cultural pride. If I wore a hat I'd take it off for respect.
And Bhutan, sandwiched between China and India in the Himalayas is small with a population just over 800.000 and is not very keen on having tourist around and is being one of the most isolated countries in the world. Tourism in Bhutan follows a unique "high-value, low-impact" model established when the kingdom opened to foreign visitors in 1974. Travelers must pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of $100 per night and book through licensed local operators to protect the nation's environment and culture. I like Bhutan more and more.
But let's get back to Rhythm of Bhutan. As we know know Bhutan took a wrong start to the Euroviison Asia already last year (read more here) in August 2025 with ten artists taking part in three qualification rounds, a semifinal and final. That affair came to an end just before the final. Cancelled, taken off air and forgotten. Fast forward to summer 2026 and official announcement by Ebu about Eurovision Asia and finally here we are officially. This time with five acts only and one off final. The voting was 40% Bhutan audience, 40% the 4-member jury and 20% international online vote. The results are as below ending with Nyendra on stage crying his eyes out of happiness.
Thukten Nyandra (24) is a singer-songwriter and producer. This multi talented graduate of mass communication and journalism has already a couple of streaming hits under his belt: Oh no , Tell me and Zamling. Very promising artist!
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