Creating social cohesion and reducing feelings of isolation are the aims of colourful cultural celebrations including song, dance and food organised by the Bhutanese Society of Nelson.

“Celebrations like Dashain, Tihar (Diwali) and New Year help bring our community and the wider Nelson community together to enjoy our culture and food,” said Bhoj R Subba, president of the Bhutanese Society of Nelson.

“Our younger generation have the responsibility to organise these events which give us the opportunity to showcase our traditional cultural festivals to the wider Nelson community and also ensure our often-isolated elderly members have an opportunity to be involved.”

The society has received funding from Top of the South Community Foundation (TSCF) for five events; the Dashain festival, the Tihar festival and a Bhutani Cultural night, all in 2024 and this year, Nepali new year celebrations and Nepali cultural movie shows for elderly people.

Nettie Stowe, executive officer for TSCF says the events organised by Bhutanese Society of Nelson help keep alive culture and language and reduce the feelings of isolation and loneliness among its people. “These festivals also help draw in the wider Nelson community, resulting in greater cultural understanding and appreciation.”

The Bhutanese Community of Nelson, is a not for profit and incorporated society run by the Bhutanese resettled in Nelson. It is a society of Nepali speaking Bhutanese who were forcefully evicted from Bhutan.

A member of the Bhutanese Society of Nelson performs a mask dance, a vibrant part of Bhutanese culture, for the Nelson community.