The 34th ‘Jatiyo Kobita Utshab’ (national poetry festival), concluded on Monday (Feb 3) at University of Dhaka. Jatiyo Kobita Porishad organised the two-day festival with the theme of ‘Mujib Amar Shadhinotar Omar Kabber Kobi’ (Mujib is the poet of immortal poetry of my freedom).
Floral wreaths were placed at the Central Shaheed Minar and graves of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, painter Kamrul Hasan, poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, ahead of the inaugural function on Sunday morning, said a press release.
Noted poet Mahadev Saha inaugurated the festival, which began with the playing of the national anthem, along with hoisting of the national flag. The Ekushey song and festival song were also presented.
The festival features elaborate programmes, including recitation of poems, seminars, discussions and exhibitions on poets and poetry.
Poets from different countries including India, Turkey, Nepal, Spain, Sweden, Uzbekistan and Malaysia participated in the festival.
At the event, three eminent poets and language movement veterans — Ahmed Rafi, Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury and Borhanuddin Khan Jahangir — were honoured with the ‘Jatiyo Kabita Porishad Sommanona’.
Poetry sessions took place on each day of the festival till 9 p.m.
