'Gulshan Society Bhasha Utshob 2025' to celebrate linguistic diversity

In celebration of International Mother Language Day, Gulshan Society is hosting Gulshan Society Bhasha Utshob 2025, a vibrant two-day festival dedicated to the richness of Bangladesh's linguistic and cultural heritage.

Taking place on February 21-22, from 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM at Gulshan Lake Park, the event promises an engaging blend of discussions, performances, and literary activities that honour the significance of mother tongues in shaping identity and preserving heritage.

The festival is set to feature over 15 well-curated sessions with eminent literary personalities, journalists, academicians, and cultural performers, exploring the deep-rooted connection between language and identity. 

Speaking about the event to TBS, the General Secretary of Gulshan Society Syed Ahsan Habib, said they are arranging this event out of their responsibility towards the senior citizens and the upcoming young generation. 

Adding to the spirit of remembrance and tribute, a replica of the Shaheed Minar has been installed within the park, providing citizens and organisations with a space to honour the language martyrs.

"The elderly who grew up in Dhaka during the sixties and seventies hardly get to revisit those days and memories. They were deeply involved in the emotions and spirit of Ekush. For them, the Shaheed Minar area and similar places hold immense significance. 

However, due to various reasons—be it traffic, security concerns, or difficulties in commuting—they rarely get the chance to return to these places. We attempted to take them back in time, to rekindle the very spirit they grew up cherishing," Ahsan explained.

Discussions, poetry recitations, and musical performances will be conducted in Bangla, English, and other languages spoken across Bangladesh, reinforcing the festival's commitment to linguistic inclusivity.

Among the highlights, "Language of Resistance" will bring together noted writers and thinkers such as Natasha Jahan, Shehzad Chowdhury, and Rafat Mishu, who will delve into how language has historically been used as a tool of defiance and empowerment. 

Another much-anticipated session, "Other Tongues: Translating & Transliterating", will feature Kaiser Haq, Rifat Munim, and Mojaffor Hossain, who will explore the complexities of translation in a multilingual society.

The festival will also include a powerful poetry recitation session featuring Dahlia Ahmed and Shimul Mustapha, as well as a captivating musical performance of indigenous songs by F MINOR, bringing Bangladesh's lesser-known languages to life.

The events will not be limited to celebrating Bangla."We will have discussions on our languages, and not just Bangla—we will also discuss many Indigenous and ethnic minority languages and dialects. We don't want to lose touch with this, as these languages are inherently ours," said Ahsan.

Beyond the thought-provoking discussions and performances, a mini book fair will showcase a diverse collection of literary works, offering readers a chance to explore both local and international publications. 

Meanwhile, a food zone curated by Pathao Foods will serve an array of traditional and contemporary delicacies, ensuring that visitors can indulge in the country's ri ch culinary heritage.