Poets Uphold Bengali Cultural Heritage

The 38th National Poetry Festival, a two-day celebration dedicated to safeguarding the timeless legacy of Bengali culture, concluded on Monday with a vibrant finale at the Central Shaheed Minar. The event, marked by poetry recitals, seminars, and cultural performances, reflected a resolute commitment to resisting all attempts to undermine the nation’s cultural identity.

Organised by the National Poetry Council, this year’s festival commenced on Sunday, 1 February, under the rallying slogan, “Poetry Will Counter Anti-Cultural Forces.” Poets from across the country enlivened the Shaheed Minar precincts, turning it into a hub of artistic expression and cultural pride.

The closing day opened with a musical tribute to youth, performed by Sunil Das and his ensemble. Following this, registered poets presented their compositions in three successive sessions before the lunch break, with each session presided over by Golam Shafiq, Manzur Rahman, and Abu Saeed Khan, respectively.

After the break, a seminar titled “From ’71 to ’24: The Role of Poetry in Mass Movements” highlighted the profound interplay between language and verse. The keynote speaker, public intellectual Professor Salimullah Khan, emphasised that poetry is more than mere rhythm and rhyme; it is the conveyance of thought and emotion. He voiced concerns over the declining use of Bengali in high courts, private offices, and commercial spaces, urging a renewed commitment to linguistic preservation.

Presiding over the seminar, Professor Fayzul Latif Chowdhury remarked, “Poetry encapsulates the present era. Poets articulate contemporary experiences in verse, granting their work a timeless resonance.” Other notable attendees included Professor Mohammad Azam, Director General of the Bangla Academy, and poet-director Sakhawat Tipu of the National Book Centre. The session was moderated by National Poetry Council President, poet Mohon Raihan.

The festival concluded with a final poetry recital under the chairmanship of Harshit Bala, accompanied by music, recitations, and dance performances, leaving attendees with a profound sense of cultural affirmation.

Key details of the festival are summarised in the table below:

The festival sent a powerful message to poets and cultural enthusiasts alike: poetry possesses the enduring power to confront and counter any challenge to Bengali heritage.