Tshering Choden & Kezang Dema

In an attempt to engage youths productively, Gokab Community Center for Learning (GCCL) held a two-week Dancing for Book initiative in parks and public places in Thimphu.

Dancing for Books, according to a founding member of Gokab, Chado Namgyel provides an opportunity for youths to learn and explore new skills.

“The initiative provides a platform for youths to showcase their talent, creative thoughts and dance.”

Chado Namgyel said that the initiative was expected to promote reading habits and to develop critical thinking skills to build a creative community as they are engaged in creative writing works.

A class 12 student of Pelkhil Higher Secondary School, Tshering Dorji Tamang said that it has helped him become more confident and learn life skills.

Chado Namgyel said, “The initiative engages youths because the youth are easily influenced by the way people act, dress and communicate in social settings.”

The group staged performances in parks and public places. They began with dance and when enough spectators gathered, a reader read a book. The group also distributed books to the audience.

Since 2015, Dancing with Books covered Paro, Phuntsholing and Thimphu distributing over 1,000 books till date.

Besides providing different levels of dance classes, the group also conduct annual dance events. Both national and international participants took part in the competitions. So far, Gokab had around 50 participants. The participants mostly included youths with few adults.

The members also go places hosting dance programs and give books to the audience especially children to promote reading habits.

For this winter, the two-week programme ended on January 19.

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