DC Hill, CRB set to host cultural extravaganza for Pahela Baishakh
The celebration will commence at 6:30am and conclude by 4:00pm
Chattogram is all set to usher in Pahela Baishakh—the first day of the Bangla New Year—with vibrant enthusiasm and traditional fanfare, as the city's cultural hubs prepare for a spirited celebration on Sunday and Monday.
The two major venues—DC Hill and CRB's Shirishtala—are abuzz with last-minute preparations as organisers finalise arrangements for this year's festivities. Cultural organisations, artists, and volunteers are working around the clock to create a truly festive atmosphere that reflects the heart of Bengali heritage.
Students from the Institute of Fine Arts at the University of Chittagong will also bring out the traditional Mongol Shobhajatra, a celebratory procession, from their campus at Chatteswari. The parade promises to be a riot of colour, featuring handcrafted masks, vibrant floats, and symbolic motifs such as tigers, birds, and fish representing Bangladesh's rural roots.
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A day of culture at DC Hill
This year, DC Hill will host a single-day cultural programme on Monday, organised by the Sammilito Pahela Baishakh Udjapon Parishad. The event, now in its 47th edition, was previously celebrated over two days—marking both the year's end and the beginning—but has been scaled down post-pandemic.
More than 50 cultural organisations are expected to take part in performances ranging from folk songs and dance to recitation and street theatre. The celebration will commence at 6:30am and conclude by 4:00pm, in line with guidelines issued by the Chattogram district administration.
"We're celebrating the essence of Bengali culture through music, dance, and tradition," said Khokan, one of the organisers. "It's a festival of identity and togetherness."
The organising committee had submitted their application to the Deputy Commissioner's office on 13 February, receiving approval in a coordination meeting held on 10 April.
CRB's dual-day festivities
Meanwhile, CRB's Shirishtala will also burst into life with two days of cultural programmes hosted by the Noboborsho Udjapon Parishad. On Sunday, a farewell to the outgoing year will be held from 3:30pm to 5:00pm. This will be followed by a full day of celebration on Pohela Boishakh itself, running from 7:00am to 6:00pm.
"In addition to cultural performances, we're organising Kabadi, to engage the youth and preserve our traditional games," said Faruk Taher, a member of the Parishad.
To ensure public safety and smooth coordination, Chattogram Metropolitan Police convened a meeting on Thursday at the Police Commissioner's office. Representatives from DC Hill, CRB, and the Shilpakala Academy participated in discussions on crowd control, security protocols, and public order during the events.
"We are cultural people. Boishakh is a festival of the heart," Faruk Taher added. "With administrative support, we aim to make this celebration vibrant despite the limited timeframe."
Ananda Shobhajatra: The heartbeat of the celebration
No Pohela Boishakh in Chattogram is complete without the Ananda Shobhajatra, the iconic procession organised by the Fine Arts Institute of Chittagong University. This year's parade will begin around 9:00am, following a lively route through Chatteswari Intersection, Almas Intersection, Kazir Dewri, SS Khaled Road, and Sarson Road before circling back to the institute.
The evening will see a cultural gathering on the institute's open-air stage, featuring performances by local artists and students, drawing the day to a jubilant close.
