The government has formulated plans to showcase Bangladesh's thousand-year-old cultural heritage to the world through cultural diplomacy across 51 countries, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury announced on Saturday.
Speaking at a meeting organised by Chuadanga Zila Parishad at the Chuadanga Circuit House conference room, the minister noted that the government has been continuously working to promote the nation's arts and culture since the declaration of Nazrul Year.
Initiatives have also been taken to introduce the younger generation to arts and culture through various programmes at educational institutions throughout the country, he added.
Nitai Roy Chowdhury emphasized that Bangladesh possesses a rich cultural heritage spanning thousands of years, noting that the administration is placing special emphasis on cultural diplomacy to introduce local traditions, arts, and heritage to international audiences.
As part of these broader heritage efforts, the minister announced that Baul festivals will now be organised across the country on a regular basis. Traditional folk music, Bhatiyali songs, and boat races have also been officially included in the ministry's cultural heritage initiatives.
Furthermore, the government has taken steps to revive and promote traditional rural games such as Dariabandha, Ha-du-du, Kabaddi, and Lathi Khela. The minister credited the Prime Minister with providing immense encouragement for the ongoing development of the nation's cultural sector.
During the event, cultural activists from Chuadanga raised various demands concerning the development of the district's cultural sector, the expansion of artistic activities, and the promotion of local cultural organisations. They subsequently submitted a formal memorandum to the minister outlining their demands for overall cultural development in the district.
The meeting was presided over by Chuadanga Zila Parishad Administrator and District BNP General Secretary Sharifuzzaman Sharif, with local cultural activists and representatives of different organisations in attendance.
Why it matters
The initiative expands international cultural diplomacy and institutionalizes domestic folk heritage programs across Bangladesh.