Dhaka Correspondent:
The day-long âBangladesh Recitation Federation Festival-2026â was held at the National Theatre Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Segunbagicha, the capital, on the initiative of the Bangladesh Recitation Federation.
The main theme of this yearâs festival was the spread of recitation practice, the development of poetry and culture among the new generation, and the preservation of the memory of the mass uprising of the students and the public in July 2024.
The festival began with a colorful procession at 10 am. Later, a Nazrul recitation competition was held with the participation of more than two hundred children and adolescents on the occasion of Nazrul Barsho.
After a lunch break, the main program began at 3:45 pm with the performance of the national anthem. The program was held in a series of discussions titled âJuly Uprising in the Mirror of Memoryâ, poetry readings titled âJuly Lines in the Voice of Poetsâ and group and solo recitations titled âBarsha Revolution Poems-2026â in memory of the martyrs of July 24.
Mahmudul Hasan, General Secretary of Bangladesh Recitation Federation, delivered the welcome speech. The inaugural session, chaired by Federation President Mehedi Hasan, was attended by the Honorable Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs of the Government of the Peopleâs Republic of Bangladesh, Mr. Md. Asaduzzaman, MP.
Honorable State Minister of Cultural Affairs, Mr. Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayyam and Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Rezauddin Stalin, were present as special guests. After the discussion, the guests presented certificates and prizes to the winners of the Nazrul Recitation Competition.
In the âPoems of July in Poetryâ section, poets Jahangir Firoz, ABM Sohel Rashid, Shanta Maria, Rakib Likhon, Sumon Subhan, Saikat Amin and Imran Mahfuz recited poems on the experience and spirit of the July Mass Movement.
The special attraction of the festival was âBarsha Biplob Poem-2026â, where Avarit Bishwa Gnanalaya, Udichi Shilpi Gosthi, Chilekothaye Chirkut and Swarabrut performed group recitations.
In addition, renowned and young recitation artists of the country presented the sacrifice, struggle, desire for independence and human values ââof July 24 in solo performances.
The National Theatre Auditorium was filled with the participation of recitation artists, poets, cultural workers, teachers, students and a large number of spectators from different districts of the country.
The organizers said that in addition to the aesthetic practice of recitation, the Bangladesh Recitation Federation will continue to hold such national events in the future to convey history, free thought, and democratic values ââto the new generation.