According to a recent announcement, the traditional Mangal Shobhajatra held on Pahela Baishakh will be renamed Ananda Shobhajatra (Procession of Joy) this year.
The decision was made public during a press conference held at 11 am on Friday (April 11) at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka.
A major highlight of this year's procession will be the inclusion of a new symbolic figure representing fascism, standing approximately 20 feet tall. The effigy is modeled after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in exile in India, and will feature horns on either side of the face.
Under the theme "Harmony in the New Year, End to Fascism," 28 ethnic communities from across Bangladesh are expected to participate in the procession.
Earlier on Tuesday, cultural advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki had mentioned that the decision to rename the procession would ultimately come from the University of Dhaka.
