Bangladesh Marks Pohela Boishakh with Colorful Cultural Celebrations and Processions

Bangladesh celebrated the Bengali New Year, Pohela Boishakh, today with vibrant cultural programmes, traditional processions, and nationwide festivities, as thousands of people gathered to welcome the new year in a festive atmosphere.

The day began at sunrise in Dhaka at Ramna Batamul, where a cultural programme was organised by Chhayanaut. The event featured choral renditions, poetry recitations, and performances by around 200 artists, concluding with the national anthem.

One of the main highlights was the traditional Baisakhi Shobhajatra, which started from the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Dhaka at around 9:00 am. The colourful procession passed through major city landmarks including Shahbagh, Raju Sculpture, and Bangla Academy before returning to its starting point. This year’s theme, “New Year’s Harmony, Democracy’s Resurgence,” was reflected through symbolic motifs representing peace, renewal, and cultural heritage.

The procession, recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, once again highlighted Bangladesh’s tradition of cultural unity and non-communal identity.

Political figure Tarique Rahman also extended greetings to the nation, emphasizing the country’s agrarian roots and announcing initiatives aimed at supporting farmers.

Despite tight security arrangements, celebrations across the country remained peaceful. Citizens from diverse backgrounds participated in fairs, traditional rituals such as halkhata, and cultural gatherings, marking the start of the new year with renewed hopes for harmony and prosperity.