On December 20, 2024, the Bartsham Community Museum, prepared for establishment by Program-Specific Assistant Professor Yoshio Akamatsu and others from Kyoto University, along with local universities and residents, was opened in Trashigang, Bhutan.

The Bartsham Community Museum Project is part of the JICA Grassroots Technical Cooperation Project “Human Resource Development toward Community Building by University-Community Engagement in Trashigang, Bhutan (Grassroots Partnership),” led by Associate Professor Ryota Sakamoto. The preparation for the establishment was carried out in collaboration with Sherubtse College, Royal University of Bhutan, and local residents.

The opening of the museum was widely covered by the Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) and the national newspaper Kuensel.

• “Community museum opens to showcase traditional artefacts in Bartsham Gewog,” BBS, December 24, 2024.
• “Bartsham’s community museum opens to preserve heritage and culture,” Kuensel, December 21, 2024.

Comments from the researchers:

With the support of many stakeholders, we were able to successfully celebrate the opening day of the museum. After their initial visit, many residents have visited the museum and the county office again, to donate household items that were gathering dust at home. Going forward, we hope to continue to conduct area studies, centring on the museum management committee set up with the local residents, while also consulting with the local university and the county, to consider how the community museum can be used as a base for local research, education and community development. (Akamatsu)

In Bhutan, although there are national museums in Paro and Trongsa, there is a lack of museums and archives that focus on preserving the history and culture of local communities. In September 2012, Dasho Pema Thinley, who was the Vice-Chancellor of the Royal University of Bhutan at the time, visited the Miyama Folk Museum in Kyoto and stated that “before traditions are lost in Bhutan, it is necessary to create such museums,” and ”Sherubtse College should be at the core of it.” This statement was one of the catalysts for the launch of this project. Despite various difficulties, with Akamatsu-san at the Center, we overcame them, gained the trust of the local people, and reached the opening of the museum through the efforts of the people in the Bartsham Gewog, Sherubtse College faculty and students, Trashigang officials, and graduate students from Kyoto University. I would like to express my sincere respect to all those involved. (Sakamoto)