ニューヨーク・タイムズのインスタグラム(nytimes) - 8月25日 01時55分

Literacy is taking root across these deep green mountain valleys of #Bhutan, giving rise to a surprising underdog literary scene. In the 1950s, the literacy rate in this tiny Himalayan kingdom was 3%. Today, it’s around 60%. The result? The number of bookshops is increasing; there are around a dozen in the capital, #Thimphu — where @poraschaudhary took this photo — and a few more in far-flung districts. Bhutanese writers are publishing books more than ever before — fantasy novels, poetry, short story collections and especially folklore. Each August, Bhutan hosts an international literary festival. This year, the event includes everything from talks about the importance of bees to a performance by Bhutanese hip-hop dancers. While old ways of life are fading, a new generation of Bhutanese writers and novelists see themselves as occupying a special role: as guardians of their nation’s culture. “I can vividly remember the lovely time we used to have as children and already we are losing this huge reserve of rich oral culture,’’ said Chador Wangmo, 38, one of Bhutan’s favorite novelists. “The family time and the togetherness is dwindling quicker than we could have fathomed.’’ | Want more about ?? Follow @nytbooks.

[BIHAKUEN]UVシールド(UVShield)

>> 飲む日焼け止め！「UVシールド」を購入する