Spread our culture to the world: President

President Abdul Hamid yesterday urged people of the country to spread various elements Bangladeshi culture throughout the world.

Speaking as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of 'International Folk Culture Festival 2018' in Netrokona, he said, “There are various components of our culture across the country. You should collect them and spread them abroad. I hope that many people including poets, writers, dramatists, producers, collectors, researchers, and institutions will come forward in this regard.”

The festival, organised by Greater Mymensingh Cultural Forum, is being held at the town's Muktarpara field.

The president also stressed on the need for establishing an international institution for preserving folk culture. “The precious components of folk culture which is now scattered should be preserved in an organised way. An international-standard folk culture institution should be established for the preservation of folk culture,” he said.

“I am happy to hear that the Cultural Forum has already taken a timely step to establish this type of institution with the collaboration of cultural ministry,” President Hamid added.

In his inaugural speech, the president also called upon the people of the country to accept the good aspects of “satellite culture” and exclude the evil sides.

President Abdul Hamid said, “Do not be influenced by the cheap trend of satellite culture. You will rather have to accept the good aspects of it and … reject the evil sides.”

“Information technology has affected everyone's life in villages and cities. The whole world has become a village because of the free flow of information. As a result, 'sky culture' is now a reality. The influence of the culture of different countries and nations is spreading very fast. The cultural pattern is also changing at the same pace,” the president said.

About the festival, Abdul Hamid said, “This international festival will strengthen the relationship among local and foreign researchers and artists, and play a vital role in developing this region's history, heritage and lifestyle.”

Renowned folk researcher Jatin Sarker presented a keynote speech at the programme, chaired by Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Mustafa Jabbar.

Visva-Bharati University Professor Sabuj Koli Sen, and Dinesh Chandra Sen's great grand-daughter Debkanya Sen were also present at the programme, as well as Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Arif Khan Joy and Chief Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Affairs at the Prime Minister's Office Abul Kalam Azad.

Earlier, the president laid the foundation of Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Centre in the district.