Bangabandhu’s March 7 speech: Bangladesh mission in London unveils first Irish, Welsh and Scottish translations

The Bangladesh High Commission in London has unveiled the first translations of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's March 7 speech in Irish, Scottish and Welsh languages in a special publication titled "A call for freedom in languages".

Under a special initiative of Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland Saida Muna Tasneem, language experts of Trinity College, Dublin, Herriot-Watt University, Scotland and University of Wales Trinity Saint David completed the translations in their respective languages.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen graced the commemorative event and virtually unveiled the publication where ministers, MPs, academics, language experts and eminent community members from England, Wales, Scotland and Republic of Ireland joined to pay their highest tribute to Bangladesh's founding father and his historic March 7 speech.

Unveiling the translations, Momen said, "This special publication would certainly bring the history of Bangladesh's independence and the charismatic oratory of Bangabandhu closer to the Irish, Scottish and Welsh people and deepen our cultural heritage, linguistic linkages and human connectivity."

State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid said the translation of Bangabandhu's historic speech in three European and British languages is a commendable initiative by the Bangladesh High Commission in London and will encourage further research and studies on Bangabandhu and Bangladesh in European and UK universities.

High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem in her opening remarks said, "We take great pride that the historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the first Bengali language document translated into Scottish, Irish and Welsh, which will take Bangabandhu's epic speech closer to the people of Scotland, Ireland and Welsh."

She noted that the translation into three more European languages will make the total foreign language translations of the speech to 17.

She reaffirmed that the High Commission in London would be working closely with the University of Edinburgh, Trinity St David's and the Trinity College of Dublin to commission further research on the political significance of this UNESCO World Documentary heritage speech.

Minister for Europe and Prime Minister's Office of the Irish Foreign Ministry Thomas Byrne said, "With its translation in Irish language, people of Ireland will now understand the importance of the speech of Bangladesh's Founding Father Bangabandhu and the precious words of this historic speech would bring the Irish people closer to the spirit of Bangladesh as mentioned by Bangabandhu."

First Minister of Wales, Rt Hon Mark Drakeford MS, said, "The translation of the historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu in Welsh will help people of Wales learn more about the history of Bangladesh's independence while it will continue to motivate all freedom-loving people across the globe."