64 memorials to be built across Bangladesh to honour July martyrs: Farooki
These memorials will be text-based, as the July Movement was significantly driven by slogans, poems, statements and writings, he says
Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki today (14 July) announced that memorials commemorating the martyrs of the July uprising will be constructed in all 64 districts across Bangladesh.
Speaking at a press conference held at Ganabhaban, as part of the "July Uprising Reawakening Programmes," Farooki said construction will begin today, starting from Narayanganj, and all memorials are expected to be completed by 4 August.
"These memorials will be text-based, as the July Movement was significantly driven by slogans, poems, statements and writings. The initiative to build these memorials is aimed at introducing the sacrifices of the July martyrs to the new generation," Farooki explained at the press conference.
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He also informed that five advisers of the interim government – Asif Nazrul, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adilur Rahman Khan, CR Abrar and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan – will visit the sites today.
Highlighting events outside Dhaka, Farooki said that on 16 July – designated as July Martyrs' Day – several advisers will travel to Rangpur's Begum Rokeya University to pay tribute to martyr Abu Sayeed and others.
In Chattogram, multiple documentary screenings and a concert featuring artists from both Chattogram and Dhaka will be held at the stadium in Kazir Dewri, culminating in a drone art display. The final concert lineup will be announced in a morning press conference that day (16 July).
In addition, he announced that the July Memorial Museum will be officially inaugurated on 5 August at Ganabhaban, although it will take additional time before welcoming general audiences.
The press conference was also joined by Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid, who stated that work has begun on compiling a complete list of the women warriors of the July Uprising. Under a special programme titled "July Konna," her ministry will also launch initiatives focused on women's empowerment.
The interim government has rolled out a series of commemorative initiatives throughout July to mark the historic uprising, including the construction of memorials, creation of documentation, and welfare programmes.
Farooki also shared that a special cultural event will take place this evening (Monday) at the Central Shaheed Minar, hosted by female students of Dhaka University. Supported by the Chinese Embassy, a special drone show portraying 16 years of authoritarian rule under the Awami regime will take place after the cultural event at night.
Later, the female students will lead a symbolic "Thala-Bati procession" (pot-and-pan rally), commemorating the public uprising of July 2024. The entire programme will be broadcast live on a digital screen at the venue for public viewing.
Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Assistant Press Secretary Suchismita Tithi were also present there.
