WHILE IN THIMPHU, THE ROYAL TEXTILE ACADEMY IS A MUST VISIT
As the first of its kind institution dedicated to preserving, promoting and educating locals and visitors alike about Bhutanese textiles, The Royal Textile Academy (RTA) not just creates awareness about the age-old and living textile arts of Bhutan, but also showcases the finest examples of woven, embroidered and appliqued textiles on display alongside relevant production techniques.
From the national attire, one can easily deduce that weaving is a vital component of Bhutanese tradition and culture. To preserve and promote this art form, the RTA was set up in 2005 under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck as a non-government, non-profit organization. As such, it is an educational center for the training of individuals in the traditional art of weaving, thereby preserving and promoting the unique textile arts of Bhutan.
The Academy is crucial to Bhutanese textile arts because it plays an important role in collecting and documenting key textiles that are part of Bhutan’s heritage. The RTA also helps develop exhibitions for local and international venues, administers cultural and educational programs, workshops, study groups and lectures on Bhutanese textile arts.
The RTA houses a weaving school that trains students in traditional weaving, the art of yarn dyeing, contemporary skills related to design and color combinations apart from basic skills on business and book-keeping.
The Academy operates a state-of-the-art museum to display its collection of artifacts and to provide an understanding of Bhutan’s rich textile traditions and way of life. Consisting of two galleries, the Museum has a permanent display of the various types of textile weaves in the country in the upper section. The lower gallery, on the other hand, holds exhibitions on special themes. These temporary exhibitions usually run up to nine months.
Also, the Academy imparts internationally accepted methods and techniques of conservation and preservation of priceless textiles and other artifacts. The conservation center in the Academy has been responsible for the preservation, conservation, and restoration of countless Bhutanese artifacts that are now on display in several Dzongs and monasteries across the country.
As of now the conservation center at the Royal Textile Academy is focused primarily on textiles but plans are underway to include the conservation and restoration of metals, woodworks, paintings as well.
Our top five reasons why a visit to the Royal Textile Academy is a must
- It is located in the heart of the city and exhibits the history of the unique textiles of Bhutan.
- The Academy offers a crash course on weaving and designing intricate Bhutanese patterns to those interested.
- It is a must visit for cultural and textile enthusiasts.
- The museum houses a lot of antique ghos and kiras that are not seen today.
- The structure or the building itself is exquisite in that it is the perfect example of modern Bhutanese architecture