The Old Main, University of Texas in El Paso 1917

The El Paso Connection

Whenever I speak of Opera Bhutan and the collaboration with the University of Texas in El Paso, people are always amazed and intrigued at how three Cartesian geographic coordinates that are Rome, Bhutan and El Paso could have any relation whatsoever to each other. But this is one of the fascinating aspects of this project, that it has succeeded to bring together the most unlikely elements, each one so different from the other but through this project will demonstrate the ability to work together.

Coming back to El Paso, to solve the mystery as to how this city nestled in the mountains of the Chihuahuan Desert in far west Texas on the U.S.-Mexico border fits in to the Opera Bhutan project, I quote from the UTEP – University of Texas in El Paso - introductory booklet:

“UTEP was founded in 1914 as the Texas State School of Mines and Metallurgy, and the inspiration for its architecture is credited to Kathleen Worrell, wife of the School’s first dean, who was fascinated with a photo-essay on Bhutan that appeared in the April 1914 issue of National Geographic magazine.

The bridge leading to the Paro Dzong
National Geographic, April 1914

The article, titled “Castles in the Air”, recounted the travels across Bhutan of British diplomat and engineer John Claude White. Accompanying the article were 74 of White’s photographs – among the first ever published of the ancient and isolated kingdom.

Persuaded by his wife that Bhutanese “dzongs” would be a good fit for his mining school’s setting in the foothills of El Paso’s Franklin Mountains, Dean Worrell had the first campus building , Old Main, constructed in this style in 1917.

The Pedestrian Overpass, UTEP

Since then, nearly all UTEP buildings have followed this theme, creating an unusual degree of architectural coherence on a U.S. university campus, and offering a glimpse of the beauty and serenity of Bhutan itself.

… Inspired by its architecture, UTEP has greatly strengthened its ties to Bhutan during the past two decades through initiatives that foster understanding and appreciation of the Bhutanese people, culture and traditions.

… The University sponsors bi-annual “Bhutan Days”, which bring performers and artisans from Bhutan to the campus to interact with UTEP students, faculty and staff, and members of surrounding communities.

… UTEP’s special relationship with Bhutan has become more than just our architectural history and narrative. It is deeply embedded within the hearts of all who learn, teach and visit here.”

The Old Main, May 2012

The Opera Bhutan team is very proud to be a part of this amazing bilateral reality in El Paso and we are looking forward to our continuing collaboration with our Texas friends.

Aaron Carpene and Stefano Vizioli at UTEP, May 2012