For Kheng Sonam Dorji, the Eccola Foundation Music Fellow from Bhutan, bringing his practice to Italy has deepened his connection to Bhutanese culture and tradition. Sonam spoke with Civitella about his seven weeks in Mariposa, exploring new methods of storytelling and archiving, composing on the Drangyen, also called a lute, and deeply connecting with the natural world right outside his door. Time with Fellows from around the world working in other disciplines also proved inspirational, opening up a new pathway in his artistic journey.
Civitella Ranieri: How has your experience been?
Kheng Sonam Dorji: I am deeply honored and grateful to be the first Eccola Foundation Fellow. This opportunity has been truly transformative for me, both personally and artistically. The support from the Eccola Foundation has not only affirmed my creative vision, but it has also given me the space and encouragement to grow as a musician.
Being the first recipient carries a special meaning for me, it is a responsibility and a privilege. I am inspired to represent this fellowship with integrity and passion, and I hope my work will reflect the spirit of innovation and excellence that the Eccola Foundation stands for. Thank you for believing in my journey. I look forward to what the future holds, and to contributing meaningfully to the music community.
Being close to nature is essential to how I live, create, and connect with my culture. Here at Civitella, I felt that same sacred relationship between land and life. It gave me peace, inspiration, and a sense of grounding that kept me from feeling homesick.
CRF: As a folk musician, educator, and archivist, your work is deeply rooted in preserving and sharing Bhutanese culture and traditions. How has it been having this space and time dedicated to your practice away from Bhutan?
KSD: Having this dedicated time and space away from Bhutan has allowed me to reflect deeply on my roots, and approach my practice with a renewed sense of purpose. Being in a different environment has provided new perspectives on the importance of preserving and sharing Bhutanese folk traditions, especially in a global context where cultural identities can so easily be diluted or lost.
The distance has, in many ways, brought me closer to the essence of what I do. It has strengthened my commitment to safeguarding Bhutanese music and oral history, while also giving me the freedom to explore new methods of storytelling and archiving. I am especially grateful to have the quiet, the time, and the support to focus on this important work, something that is often hard to come by.
This experience has reminded me that while our traditions are rooted in place, their resonance can reach far beyond borders. I am leaving this space with deeper insight, inspiration, and a stronger voice to continue this work back home and with the world.
CRF: Bhutanese culture is deeply connected with its natural environment. Could you find this connection with nature at Civitella?
KSD: Absolutely. The connection with nature at Civitella has been one of the most comforting and inspiring parts of my time here. In many ways, it reminded me of home in Bhutan. Like Bhutan, Civitella is nestled away from the sea, surrounded by lush greenery, hills, and mountains that seem to breathe with quiet strength. The beauty of the landscape, the rhythm of the natural world, and even the small population is so similar to Bhutan’s, it has created a sense of deep familiarity for me.
Being close to nature is essential to how I live, create, and connect with my culture. Here at Civitella, I felt that same sacred relationship between land and life. It gave me peace, inspiration, and a sense of grounding that kept me from feeling homesick. In fact, the environment here helped me understand even more deeply how nature and culture are inseparably intertwined, no matter where you are in the world.
Civitella has truly been a second home in that way, and I carry this renewed connection to nature back with me, both in my heart and in my music.
CRF: Can you tell us a bit about your experience at Civitella living and working alongside artists practicing in other mediums?
KSD: Living and working alongside artists from such diverse disciplines at Civitella has been one of the most enriching parts of this fellowship. Coming from a folk music and archival background, it was incredibly inspiring to share space with writers, visual artists, composers, and thinkers, each with their own unique lens and creative language.
These cross-disciplinary exchanges opened up new ways of seeing and understanding my own work. Conversations over meals, spontaneous collaborations, and simply witnessing colleagues’ creative processes helped me reflect more deeply on the role of tradition, storytelling, and sound in a broader artistic context. I felt strongly supported.
In fact, the environment here helped me understand even more deeply how nature and culture are inseparably intertwined, no matter where you are in the world.
What I appreciated most was the spirit of generosity and curiosity that everyone brought. Despite our different mediums, there was a shared passion for meaningful expression, and that created a true sense of community. It reminded me that art in all its forms is deeply interconnected, and that dialogue across disciplines can open unexpected and beautiful pathways
CRF: Can you tell us about what’s next for you?
KSD: This time at Civitella has given me not only space to reflect, but also clarity on the direction I want to take next. When I return to Bhutan, I plan to continue my work in preserving and revitalizing our endangered folk music traditions, especially by recording elders’ songs, documenting oral histories, and bringing this knowledge into educational spaces for younger generations.
I am also excited to begin developing a new project inspired by my time here, a cross-cultural music archive that explores connections between Bhutanese folk traditions and other global forms of indigenous storytelling. This idea was sparked through conversations with other fellows at Civitella and I look forward to growing it further.
Most importantly, I leave with a renewed sense of purpose, not only as a musician and archivist, but also as a bridge between tradition and the contemporary world. I’m eager to carry this energy forward, and to continue sharing Bhutanese culture with broader audiences through performance, teaching, and collaboration.
Photo by Rizvi Hassan