Inaugural events for ‘Nazrul Year’ are set to formally begin on June 18, 2026, with three-day colorful programs held simultaneously across the country’s 64 districts and 74 remote and specialized upazilas. To mark the 127th birth anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has organized these inaugural events nationwide from June 18 to 20, 2026.
Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury announced this at a news conference held in the cultural affairs ministry’s conference room on Sunday (June 14). State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam and Secretary Kaniz Mowla, along with other senior officials, attended the news conference.
At the news conference, the culture minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, at the inaugural ceremony of the national poet’s 127th birth anniversary celebration in Trishal, Mymensingh, on May 23, 2026, declared the period from May 25, 2026, to May 25, 2027, as ‘Nazrul Year’ at the state level. To make this historic declaration successful and meaningful, the cultural affairs ministry has made extensive preparations. To hold the inaugural events smoothly, the necessary funds have already been allocated to every district and specified upazila in the country from the current fiscal year’s budget.
Expressing deep dismay, the minister said that over the past 17 years, the extraordinary contribution and philosophy of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam to Bengali literature and national life were not presented properly or with due dignity. Yet in the history of Bangladesh’s independence, democracy and nationalism, Nazrul’s spirit has always served as one of our chief sources of strength.
It may be noted that in 1976, the late President Ziaur Rahman granted Bangladeshi citizenship to poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. Later, during the tenure of Begum Khaleda Zia, an unprecedented initiative was taken to promote the national poet’s literary works and philosophy. The present government is determined to spread Nazrul’s spirit of equality, humanity and non-communalism among the new generation.
At the news conference, the main plans adopted by the cultural affairs ministry for the ‘Nazrul Year’ celebration (May 25, 2026, to May 25, 2027) were outlined:
1. Forming a national committee: A high-level national committee is being formed to observe Nazrul Year at the national level with the utmost dignity.
2. Releasing a logo and poster: A unique and visually appealing official logo and poster are being created as a commemorative emblem of Nazrul Year.
3. Special calendar and postage stamp: To make the year memorable, a ‘Nazrul Year calendar’ will be produced and a ‘commemorative postage stamp’ will be issued through the postal department.
4. Research and institutional initiatives: The Nazrul Year celebration will not be confined to festivities and events alone; special initiatives will be taken for higher research and archiving of the poet’s literary works, philosophy and music.
5. Expansion at the international level: With the cooperation of the foreign ministry, the poet’s timeless works and philosophy will be spread with great professionalism on the international stage and at Bangladesh’s missions in various countries.
Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said the rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s philosophy of equality and non-communal living is highly relevant to today’s Bangladesh. To make the ‘Nazrul Year’ celebration a success nationally and internationally, we seek the sincere cooperation and support of the country’s people, the intelligentsia and our respected journalist brothers and sisters, he said.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report