Staff Correspondent

The National Committee of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs held a high-level preparatory meeting on Monday  at the ministry's conference room to formulate a comprehensive roadmap for celebrating the government-declared 'Nazrul Year' (May 25, 2026, to May 25, 2027) with due dignity across the country and globally. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury presided over the meeting.

At the beginning of the session, it was disclosed that a total of Tk 2.71 crore has already been allocated to support the celebrations, distributing Tk 2,50,000 to each of the 64 district administrations and Tk 1,50,000 to each of the 74 remote upazilas. The meeting also reviewed ongoing preparations for a three-day special countrywide inaugural program scheduled from June 18 to 20, 2026.

Addressing the meeting, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury alleged that well-planned conspiracies were orchestrated in the past to plunge National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam into obscurity. 

He remarked that the country has surpassed a dark era where narrow autocratic forces distorted history to portray the announcer of independence, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, as a collaborator of Pakistan and an opponent of the Liberation War. In a similar vein, systematic attempts were made to erase Kazi Nazrul Islam from the hearts and memories of the people, the minister added. Noting that both Shaheed Zia and the National Poet were vocal against oppression—one rebelling against the British and the other taking up arms against Pakistani invaders—the minister stated that the dark era has finally ended. 

During the session, national committee members and department heads proposed a series of groundbreaking, multidimensional programs to outline the year-long roadmap. To showcase 'Nazrul Year' globally, proposals were raised to produce high-quality documentaries and films suitable for streaming on world-renowned OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon. Alongside this, the concept of branding Bangladesh globally as the "Land of Nazrul" was presented, aiming for a positive international impact similar to how the United Kingdom is recognized as the "Land of Shakespeare".

To accelerate cultural diplomacy, attendees proposed utilizing Nazrul’s revolutionary spirit as Bangladesh's 'Soft Power' through the Cultural Diplomacy Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), alongside organizing special events across all Bangladeshi missions abroad. Plans to print international-standard booklets for distribution among foreign diplomats stationed in Bangladesh were also discussed.

Emphasizing Nazrul's historical international connections, the meeting discussed specially promoting the poet in Turkey, drawing on his literary works centered around that country. It was also proposed to translate Nazrul's research and literary works into major global languages to reach an international audience. Other key proposals included organizing a large-scale 'Nazrul Mela' in the second week of July, hosting an international conference with global Nazrul researchers, launching a massive nationwide competition on the poet’s life and literature, and publishing a special commemorative volume featuring his finest writings.

To engage the younger generation and the cultural sector, proposals were placed for a countrywide 'Nazrul Talent Hunt', digital content competitions, and the publication of a definitive standard biography of the poet. The Cultural Affairs Secretary emphasized organizing a book fair dedicated entirely to Nazrul's publications. The proposed monthly programs include special broadcasts by Bangladesh Television (BTV), academic focus up to university levels on Nazrul’s unique contributions to women's emancipation, a major patriotic Nazrul Sangeet event in December, and special programs on his timeless Hamd-Naat during the holy month of Ramadan. These proposals are currently undergoing vetting and review for finalization.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayyam MP, Cultural Affairs Secretary Kaniz Maula, the directors general of Bangla Academy, Nazrul Institute, and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, along with eminent Nazrul researchers and national committee members, attended the  meeting.