Cultural affairs adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said on Wednesday that this year Pahela Baishakh would be celebrated with cultural inclusiveness and healing across the country.
He said this at a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy.
Chittagong Hill Tracts affairs adviser Supradip Chakma and assistant press secretary to the chief adviser Shuchismita Tithi also spoke at the event, which describes the detailed schedule of the celebration.
鈥榃e extend our thanks to the government for a general holiday on April 13 in the hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban to mark our major festival, including Changkran, Sangrai, Sangkrai, Baisu, Bisu, Bihu, Sangraing, Thangren, and Bizhu,鈥� Supradip Chakma said, adding that the holiday will promote harmony between national minority communities and Bengalis who will celebrate Chaitra Sangkranti and Pahela Baishakh during the festival.
Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said that this year the Bengali New Year festival would start from Chaitra Sangkranti and the ministry of cultural affairs had planned to organise cultural events and traditional fairs across the country.
鈥楤angladesh Shilpakala Academy will organise Sadhumela in 12 districts, while Bangladesh Musical Bands Association will organise a concert at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on April 13, while different band troupes from national minority communities will perform with the country鈥檚 best band troupes including Feedback, Artcell, Vikings, Lalon and Dalchhut,鈥� Farooki said, adding that BAMBA member will also participate in the traditional procession of Pahela Baishakh chanting songs in solidarity with Palestinian people.
People from 27 national minority communities will display their cultural icons and musical instruments at the procession, Farooki said, adding, 鈥楢part from the organisations under the ministry, Surer Dhara will organise an event at Dhanmondi Lake.鈥�
The adviser also said that the BSA would organise a musical event and a drone show on Manik Mia Avenue on Pahela Baishakh.
Farooki said that the decision about the title of Mangal Shobhajatra would be declared by Dhaka University on Thursday.
