Participants with their paintings at an art workshop with the theme ‘Nature and Environment’ at Katara Art Studio.
Under a week-long event ‘Bangladesh Festival Qatar 2019’, a number of programs were held to showcase the rich culture, tradition, cuisine, and art of Bangladesh at Cultural Village Foundation Katara.
The programs attracted huge crowd of visitors especially Bangladeshi expatriates as well as citizens of other countries. A big number of families including children participated in the food festival and enjoyed the authentic traditional food of Bangladesh.
The Festival was organized by Bangladesh Forum Qatar (BFQ) in cooperation with the Embassy of Bangladesh in Doha and Katara to celebrate the 48th anniversary of the Independence and National Day of Bangladesh which falls on March 26.
The programs included screening of Bengali movie, children’s art competition, art workshop, photography competition and exhibition, food festival and art exhibition.
Prominent Bangladeshi artists from around the world were hosted under the Festival. Two prominent artists, Kalidas Karmakar and Mustafa Arshad Taru, who came from the United States for Bangladesh Festival conducted the art workshops.
Speaking to The Peninsula, Bangladeshi expatriates said that the Bangladesh Festival Qatar 2019 was a unique opportunity to promote the culture and tradition of Bangladesh among citizens and residents in Qatar.
“I attended food festival and cultural program held under the event with my family,” said Mohamad Mujiburrahman, a Bangladeshi expatriate residing in Qatar for five years. He said that this year was very special for Bangladeshi expatriates because of the event which attracted a large number of visitors.
Another Bangladeshi expatriate, Abdurrashid Ahmad, thanked Bangladesh Forum Qatar and Embassy of Bangladesh and other partners for organising such a great program. “I urge the organizers to hold similar programs to celebrate the culture of Bangladesh on other occasions as well,” said Ahmad.
Food stalls as part of Bangladesh festival in Katara
“Bangladeshi delicacies including authentic snacks, different types of biriyani and tehari, pitha and sweets were served at the food stalls at Katara from March 23 to 25 under the food festival,” said Israt Ara Younus, a member of Bangladesh Forum Qatar who was team leader for the event.
She said that all foods at the festival were prepared and served by the female Bangladeshi residents in Qatar.
On March 19 and 20, screening of Bengali movie ‘Aynabaji’, a dark comedy about an obsessive actor enthralled the audience at Drama Theatre Katara.
A three-day art and photography exhibition from March 23 to 25 was held at Katara. The most anticipated art exhibition was hosted by Kalidas Karmakar and Mustafa Arshad.
The photography exhibition was themed ‘Through the lens: Cultural heritage of Bangladesh and Qatar’. The photographs which were selected through photography contest were presented at the photography exhibition.
Three art workshops with the theme ‘Nature and Environment’ were also held as part of week-long Bangladesh Festival 2019 at Katara Art Studio. Art workshop generated huge enthusiasm among the participants.
Around 50 art enthusiasts from different background and different nationalities took part in the workshops. The workshops were arranged with a different group of people.
Children’s art competition on ‘Heritage of Bangladesh and Qatar’ as part of week-long Bangladesh Festival 2019 was also held at MHM Bangladesh School & College.
Around 80 students of different ages and from different countries attended the art competition. The competition was arranged in three age groups.
Ambassador of People’s Republic of Bangladesh Ashud Ahmed attended the event as chief guest to inspire kids. Ahmed was impressed with the quality of work produced by the children and wished them good luck.
