Second International Lalon and Folk Festival set to celebrate on October 19 and 20 in New York, USA. Lalon Parishad, USA will organize the event, which will take place at the Nandan Kanan Performing Arts Center in Jamaica, a neighborhood with a large Bangladeshi community. This follows the festival's successful debut in 2022.
The announcement was made at a press conference held by Lalon Parishad USA at Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club on June 8.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs Nahid Izhar Khan will present as the chief guest at this year's festival, adding to the event's prestige. Professor Selim Toha of Kushtia Islamic University, a noted Lalon researcher, will present the main article in the festival. Shyamal Dutta, Editor of Daily Bhorer Kagoj and General Secretary of Jatiya Press Club, will attend as a special guest.
Prominent artists from Bangladesh, including Lalon singer Farida Parveen, flute player Gazi Abdul Hakim, Lalon researcher Debora Jannat, singer Rakhi Shabnam, famous Baul artist Kala Mia, and Lalon singer Sultana Yasmin Laila, will perform at the festival.
Nurul Amin Babu, Chief Advisor of Lalon Parishad USA, noted the significant participation of the Bengali-speaking diaspora and the younger generation from both Bengals in last year's festival. He expressed enthusiasm for the biennial event, which has received a strong response across North America, including New York.
Besides the Lalon festival, Lalon Parishad USA organizes three other popular events: Rabindra Uthsav, Suchitra Sen International Bengali Film Festival, and Jyotsna Uthsav. These festivals play a crucial role in promoting Bengali culture abroad.
Abdul Hamid is the convener of the Lalon Uthsav in New York. The event coordinators and collaborators include Shikriti Barua, Gopal Sannyal, Hasanuzzaman Saki, Sukhen Joseph Gomez, Art director Jahed Sharif ,Media Coordinator Pinaki Talukder, Programme associates Shuvo Roy and Sahana Bhattacharya, Ushnish KIshore Chakraborty, coordinator, Lalon parishad ,Bangladesh.
