Embassy of Bangladesh
Paris, France
PRESS RELEASE
Bangladesh celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity at UNESCO
Paris, Thursday 3 March 2016: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Embassy of Bangladesh in Paris jointly held a cultural event at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris to celebrate International Mother Language Day.
A cultural delegation led by Bangladesh Cultural Minister Asaduzzaman Noor MP participated at the celebration on the evening of 3 March at UNESCO House.
Speaking on the occasion as the Chief Guest, Cultural Minister Asaduzzama Noor paid tribute to the Bengali youths who laid down their life to defend their mother tongue on 21st February 1952. He thanked UNESCO for recognizing the unprecedented sacrifice of Bangladesh for mother language by declaring 21st February as International Mother Language Day.
The Minister informed the UNESCO Member States of the activities of International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka, which has received the status of a category II institute of UNESCO, in preserving and promoting all mother languages of the world.
Mr. Eric Falt, Assistant Director General of UNESCO praised Bangladesh’s leadership role in promoting linguistic and cultural diversity, which is a core mandate of UNESCO.
Renowned singers Samina Chowdhury and Fakir Shahabuddin and classical dancer Rachel Agnes Perris performed at this prestigious event. The Bangladesh cultural troupe began its performance with the chanting of “Amaar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushe February “, the hymn of Language Martyrs’ Day. They also performed patriotic and folk songs.
Because of Bangladesh’s special attachment to 21st February, the Language Martyrs’ Day, which was proclaimed as International Mother Language Day by UNESCO in 1999, the Embassy of Bangladesh to UNESCO takes lead role in celebrating this day at UNESCO every year.
This year Bangladesh Embassy enlisted the support of other like-minded countries to celebrate International Mother Language Day for wider dissemination of the spirit of the International Mother Language Day.
Initiated by Bangladesh, the event entitled “Celebrating Linguistic and Cultural Diversity” was supported by China, Greece, Indonesia, Iran, Lithuania, Malaysia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Turkey. Farhana Ahmed Chowdhury, First Secretary of Bangladesh Embassy acted as the master of the ceremony of the cultural soiree comprising songs, dances and poetry recitations by performers from twelve countries.
More than five hundred diplomats, French government officials, and members of Bangladeshi community in France attended the event. They were entertained with food items contributed by Bangladesh and other supporting countries.