Cultural feast

Cultural personalities inaugurate the festival. Photo: ATL AAkash

“Bijoy Utshab 2012” (Victory Festival) was inaugurated at the Central Shaheed Minar premises in Dhaka on December 7, with the celebrations set to go on at different places in the capital, and end at Rajshahi and Cox's Bazar's Ramu. People from the cultural fraternity arrived at the Shaheed Minar as the afternoon set in. People from all walks of life also gathered at the spot -- to be a part of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote's programmes.
The programme began with the placing of floral wreaths at the Shaheed Minar, followed by a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs of the Liberation War. Artistes of the Gono-Sangeet Shamannay Parisad then sang the national anthem.
Mofidul Hoque read out the announcement of the festival, reminiscing on Bangladesh's struggle for independence, and how the opposing forces of liberation are still actively engaged in conspiracy.
Artistes then performed an inspirational gono sangeet written by Mukunda Das, “Bhoy Ki Morone”, followed by the welcome address by general secretary of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Hasan Arif, who also inaugurated the festival along with distinguished guests and Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra artistes and technicians.
A dance performance to “Purbo Digonte Shurjo Utheche” was next.
Eminent journalist and cultural activist Kamal Lohani then addressed the gathering on behalf of the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. A number of popular slogans from the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra were recited by Ashraful Alam, followed by addresses of Mamunur Rashid; Asaduzzaman Noor (MP); Mannan Hira; poet Dr. Md. Samad; Fokir Alamgir; theatre personality and DG of Shilpakala Academy, Liakat Ali Lucky; vice president of Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Golam Kuddus; Salauddin Badal; chairman of the event, Nasiruddin Yusuf; and Ramendu Majumdar.
The speakers urged citizens to be conscious, and organise themselves so that the dark forces against the country's sovereignty can be halted in their tracks through cultural and political movements. The speeches were followed by performances of popular songs aired on Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra during the war.
The month-long cultural programmes of the Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, under the banner of “Bijoy Utshab”, will be held in the capital's Gendaria, Bahadur Shah Park, Hajaribagh, Motijheel, Shaheed Minar, Dhaka University premises, Dhanmondi Rabindra Sharobor, Rayerbazar memorial, Uttara, Dania, Mirpur and Pallabi; and will close in Rajshahi on December 28 and Cox's Bazar's Ramu on December 29. The festival will include music, dance, recitation, film shows, street plays and presentations by children.