Our reasons to smile

Finally. Yes, finally we all can smile. Riyang - the Melodies of the Mountains - how nice the name sounds! That is the name of a publishing house (Riyang Books), which was launched the on Friday November 30, 2012 by Her Royal Highness Azhi Kesang Chhoden Wangchuck at Nehru-Wangchuck Center in Thimphu. And now we finally have a professional publishing house in the country. No doubt we have some licensed publishers today in the country, but for us they are more of printers.

Now that we have a professional in the field, hopefully we will have our works published and marketed abroad. And the person behind the venture is none other than our foremost writer - the most loved and read - Azhi Kunzang Choden! She has made us read and realize the importance of our folktales. She made us read stories that made us cry. She is in my opinion truly the first Bhutanese writer! Now she is coming to our rescue in publication. I would like to congratulate Azhi for the successful launch of Riyang Books!

And with the coming of Riyang Books all of us aspiring writers have something to aspire for and reasons to smile. Those who have gone through the hassle and the nightmare of publishing will understand what it means to have something of our own.

With the launch of the company, Riyang Books launched two titles - very auspicious way to begin the journey I thought. They are Membar Tsho - Flaming Lake (for children) and Ogyen Choling - A Manor in the Central Bhutan! Congrats Riyang Books for your first two wonderful books!

Congratulations all Bhutanese writers! We all deserve a professional.

And I am particularly looking forward to have some children's books published by Riyang Books! A dream project that will be!

(All pictures from Riyang Books website: www.riyangbooks.com)

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