Bhutan is preparing to make history as it joins the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026. Following months of auditions and live performances, five finalists have been selected to compete in the country’s first-ever national final on 11th August.
Bhutan’s national final
The search for Bhutan’s first Eurovision Song Contest Asia representative has reached its final stage. Five artists remain in the competition after progressing through auditions and live performances. The Grand Final will be broadcast live on 11th August by Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS), with one act earning the honour of representing the country on the international stage. Bhutan has revealed the five artists taking part in their national final, and they are:
- The Sangay Lhaden Band
- Karma Drupchu and group
- Baeyul 301
- Thukten Nyendra
- Pelden Wangchuk
The songs paticipating in ‘Rhythm of Bhutan’ will be released on Friday, August 7.
Bhutan’s Cultural Identity
Music has long been a cornerstone of Bhutanese culture, from traditional folk songs passed down through generations to contemporary music that reflects the country’s evolving identity and aspirations. Finalist Tshering Tobgyel Jamtsho of Baeyul301 believes the contest is an opportunity to inspire future generations and promote Bhutanese creativity abroad.
“It is in the hands of the artists to determine how we represent our songs and music.”
“If we do not make good use of this platform, we will not be able to guide our future generations towards creativity. Just as K-pop has become Korea’s soft power, I think our soft power lies in using our creativity and showcasing it to the world.”
Road to Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026
The winner of Bhutan’s national final will represent the country at the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026, which will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, in November. The national selection receives financial support from the Department of Media Creative Industry & Intellectual Property, highlighting the government’s commitment to promoting Bhutan’s creative industries.
According to Tshering Dorji, Deputy Chairperson of the Internal Organising Committee for Eurovision Song Contest Asia, the competition is an opportunity to present Bhutan’s unique identity to the world.
“Bhutan is unique in its music, songs, traditional attire and rich culture. Today, our artists are also bringing fresh creativity that can stand alongside the rest of the world. This platform allows us to showcase Bhutanese music, our language and our cultural identity to an international audience.”
As the countdown to the Grand Finale begins, the focus is no longer solely on selecting a winner. It is about giving Bhutan a voice on one of Asia’s biggest new music stages and sharing the country’s culture, language and musical heritage with audiences across the continent.
What we know about Eurovision Asia 2026
Early this year, EBU and Voxovation have confirmed the launch of Eurovision Asia, following its initial attempt to launch the format in 2017. The inaugual edition of the competition takes place on November 14 in Bangkok, Thailand.
At the time of writing, the following countries and broadcasters have been confirmed for the inaugural edition of this year’s competition:
| Country | Broadcaster |
| 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | NTV |
| 🇧🇹 Bhutan | BBS |
| 🇰🇠Cambodia | TV5 |
| 🇱🇦 Laos | VTE9 |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | TV3 |
| 🇳🇵Nepal | Himalaya TV |
| 🇵🇠Philippines | ABS-CBN |
| 🇹🇠Thailand (Host) | Channel 3 |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | ENA |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | VTV |
Are you excited to hear more information about Eurovision Asia? As always, let us know what you think on social media and follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky, and ZOOP as we head towards Bangkok!
News Source: BBS
Photo Credit: BBS
Mateo Perez Presmanes