A special event organised by the International Affairs Sub-Committee of Bangladesh Awami League was held at the Gulshan Society Park in the capital on Friday showcasing the traditional and enchanting Bengali heritage and culture.
The special day-long event, titled "100 years of Mujib-Golden Bengal Fest" was initiated to commemorate the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Birth Centenary and Bangladesh's Golden Jubilee of Independence, according to the organizers. From 3 pm to till evening, city dwellers and many foreign nationals alongside their family members joined the festivities which showcased an overarching view of the rich Bengali culture.
Delegates from different embassies in Bangladesh Russian Embassy in Dhaka, Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, UK Embassy in Dhaka and more joined the festivities, exploring the diversified culture of Bangladesh. Politicians and lawmakers including Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, founding convener of the national youth platform Young Bangla Nahim Razzaq MP and more also joined the daylong festivity, lauding the initiative regarding the accumulation of different cultural elements under open sky in the diplomatic zone of the capital.
Despite the scorching heat, the foreign delegates and diplomats came to the fair alongside their family members and bought local handicrafts including flutes, drums, designed hand fans and other traditional items.
They also tested local sweetmeats, candyfloss and other traditional foods, painted hands with Mehendi, bought colourful masks, kites, sarees, bangles and handmade traditional ornaments at the fair.
The daylong fair also featured traditional cultural and recreational activities including merry-go-rounds, baul music, monkey and puppet dances, and snake games. There were boats on the lake inside the park.
Videos and pictures of Bangabandhu's colorful life were displayed at the Bangabandhu Corner in the fair. A large board displayed several historical pictures including Bangabandhu's speech at the UN.
Hualong Yan, China's deputy ambassador to Bangladesh said that he had come to the fair with his wife and they enjoyed the fair. "The culture and rural atmosphere of Bangladesh has been beautifully reflected in the fair," he said. Posting a photo of the fair, British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dixon wrote in a tweet, "Very much enjoyed Shonar Bangla Mela in Gulshan Park this afternoon - music, crafts and atmosphere." "Through this special fest, we wanted to cater our local and foreign guests to experience the glimpses of Bangabandhu's Bangladesh, the "Golden Bengal" that he dreamed of. We have a thousand-years old esteemed cultural heritage which we are presenting through all these enchanting festivities in this event," Dr Shammi Ahmed, International Affairs Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League, told UNB.
Further explaining the arrangement, she added that one of the main attractions of this event is the special 'Bangabandhu Corner' where the historic journey behind Independence and Bangabandhu’s heroic and monumental activities have been showcased to enlighten the guests about his valiant steps towards achieving the freedom of Bangladesh. "In addition to that, how Bangladesh is spontaneously progressing under the dynamic leadership of our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has also been featured in the event," she told UNB.
