24 May is the 126th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. The nation is set to observe the birth anniversary of National Poet with due reverence and festivity, through a series of elaborate programmes across the country.
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, has planned extensive events both in the capital and in Cumilla to commemorate the occasion, according to a press release issued today.
A three-day event themed "Mass Uprising of '24: Inheritance of Kazi Nazrul" will be held from May 25 to 27 to celebrate the life, philosophy, and enduring legacy of the Rebel Poet.
The programme will be formally inaugurated on May 25 at 3:00 pm at Cumilla Shilpakala Academy by Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, who will attend as the chief guest. Md Mofidur Rahman, Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, will preside over the ceremony.
Md Latifur Rahman Shibly, Executive Director of the National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam Institute, and Khilkhil Kazi, granddaughter of the poet and Chairperson of the Institute’s Trustee Board, will be present as special guests.
As part of the celebration, the esteemed Nazrul Awards for the years 2023 and 2024 will be conferred upon prominent individuals for their outstanding contributions to the fields of arts and literature.
On May 26, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will host a cultural evening featuring music, dance, and poetry recitations, beginning at 6:30 pm. The programme will be chaired by the Academy's Secretary and Acting Director General, Mohammad Wares Hossain.
Beyond the central festivities, commemorative events will also take place in several regions including Mymensingh and Daulatpur in Cumilla—areas with deep connections to the poet's life and work.
These regional events will be organized under the guidance of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and local administrations, ensuring the national observance reflects both solemnity and grandeur.
