For the first time in 39 years, the National Poetry Festival was held at the Shaheed Minar instead of Dhaka University's Hakim Chattar.
According to the Poetry Council, this shift occurred due to "changes" in the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu), while university authorities cite disturbances to students' academic activities at the Central Library adjacent to Hakim Chattar.
This Sunday morning, on the first day of February—the month that carries memories of the historic Language Movement—the 38th National Poetry Festival began with a call for light against darkness, as wreaths were placed at National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam's tomb beside Dhaka University's central mosque.
The two-day festival, organized by Jatiya Kabita Parishad under the slogan "Poetry Will Resist Anti-Cultural Arrogance," is being held at the Central Shaheed Minar for the first time.
Jatiya Kabita Parishad President Poet Mohon Raihan told Dhaka Tribune: "In this changed situation, Dhaka University authorities will not allow any programs after 6pm at Dhaka University, nor will they permit microphone use."
"Dhaka University can be called the capital of politics, art, literature, and culture. The Language Movement of '52, the Education Movement of '62, the Mass Uprising of '69, the Liberation War of '71, all movements and struggles in post-independence Bangladesh, the Mass Uprising of '90, and the Mass Uprising of 2024—Dhaka University has been the source of everything. Dhaka University is the heart of Bengali culture, a birthplace of secularism and democracy, behind which the Dhaka University Central Students' Union, or Ducsu has played a major role."
"With the changes that have taken place in Ducsu, I believe they don't have faith in Bangladesh's thousand-year-old culture, and because of this, the cultural environment that previously existed at Dhaka University is no longer there. As a result, for the first time today, we're having to hold at the Shaheed Minar the festival we've been organizing within the Dhaka University area for 40 years."
Mohon Raihan revealed that they had approached the Dhaka University proctor for permission, but the proctor told him: "The university's decision is that it cannot be held within the university premises; you can hold it at the Shaheed Minar."
Dhaka University Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed told Dhaka Tribune: "Their program at Hakim Chattar causes considerable disturbance to studies at the library and at the women's halls. We convinced them, and they also understood that given the significance and importance of their program, holding it at the Shaheed Minar would be befitting. Both parties discussed this and they are holding it at the Shaheed Minar."
Last Thursday, organizers arranged a musical program at Dhaka University's TSC for the "Winter Festival," and last Friday, the Dhaka University Film Society organized a musical program titled "Chhayachhondo: Sonali Diner Gaan."
National Poetry Festival 2026
After the opening ceremony at National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam's tomb, poets took out a colorful procession that wound through TSC before culminating at the Central Shaheed Minar. Protesting communal attacks on traditional Bengali cultural centers, shrines, Baul gatherings, and media institutions, the poets joined the march with red cloth tied across their mouths. They carried placards featuring bloodstained portraits of Rabindranath Tagore and Lalon Shah, alongside symbolic images depicting National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam imprisoned. Participants chanted slogans against terrorism and sectarianism, calling for light to triumph over darkness.
The inaugural ceremony began with the singing of the national anthem and flag hoisting. This was followed by performances of the language movement song "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano Ekushey February" and this year's festival anthem "E Sangit Nritya Kobita/E Samprity Samyer Barta."
Mir Mustafizur Rahman, father of July mass movement martyr Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdho, inaugurated the festival. He said: "Poets speak the words of people's hearts through their poetry. The demand for humanity stands above all else. With this demand at the forefront, people must stand beside each other. Together we must build a humane country where no one like Abu Sayeed, Wasim, or Mugdho has to sacrifice their life."
Mir Mustafizur Rahman added that the martyrs gave their lives for the nation's independence and establishing a democratic society. "Everyone must dedicate themselves to fulfilling their dreams. Poets can inspire people through their writing in this endeavor."
Chief Guest Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, cultural affairs adviser, said lessons must be drawn from the 2024 mass uprising to move forward. "Without learning from the past, we cannot find the right path to progress."
The culture adviser noted that while the 2024 mass uprising carried political consciousness, it was fundamentally a cultural phenomenon. "For this reason, they have tried to create a pluralistic cultural space with participation from all ideologies, faiths, ethnicities, and communities."
The culture adviser expressed hope that whatever government comes to power in the future will abandon narrow divisions and continue this inclusive cultural practice. He said: "Bangladesh has a long way to go, which is why tolerance and mutual respect are essential."
Rezauddin Stalin, General Secretary of the Poetry Council and Director General of Shilpakala Academy, noted that whenever the nation has faced crisis, poets have been vocal. "Jatiya Kabita Parishad is not a political force, but during crises and struggles, the Poetry Council has stood with the people for national liberation. A national election is approaching. In this critical situation, poets are calling on people to vote for forces supporting democratic, secular, and free society."
In his presidential remarks at the inauguration, Kabita Parishad President Poet Mohon Raihan recalled that Jatiya Kabita Parishad and the National Poetry Festival began their journey in 1987 during the anti-military dictatorship democratic movement, at the road junction of Dhaka University's Teacher-Student Centre, at the foot of the Raju sculpture. The festival later moved to Hakim Chattar adjacent to the university's Central Library.
"Permission was not granted this time for this long-standing arrangement. Because times have changed. And sinister forces of darkness now seek to control these changing times—those who cannot accept Bangladesh's thousand-year-old culture floating on the vessel of enlightenment are now displaying their arrogance everywhere."
Poet Mohon Raihan further stated: "We must resist the right-wing extremist fundamentalist forces determined to destroy our language, literature, and culture. This year's National Poetry Festival is being held with this challenge in mind."
At the inaugural ceremony, the welcome address was delivered by Poet ABM Sohel Rashid, the condolence resolution was read by Poet Shyamal Zakaria, the declaration was read by Poet Manab Surat, and the vote of thanks was offered by Poet Nurunnabi Sohel.
After the inauguration came a midday break. The first day's regular program featured poetry recitations in four separate sessions. The first session showcased invited poets reciting their work under the chairmanship of Council Adviser Poet Motion Boiragi.
This was followed by second, third, and fourth sessions with registered poets reciting under the respective chairmanship of Poet Anamika Haque Lily, Poet Shaheen Chowdhury, and National Press Club President Poet Hasan Hafiz. Evening programing included recitations by invited reciters, with music and dance performances by invited artists starting at 7:30pm.
Monday's second-day session will begin at 10am with youth songs.
This will be followed by three separate sessions of registered poets' recitations and a seminar titled "71 to 24: The Role of Poetry in Mass Movements."
Professor Anu Muhammad, Professor Mohammad Azam, and Poet Sakhawat Tipu will participate in the discussion. The evening will feature poetry recitations by invited poets, recitations by invited reciters, and later poetry-based songs and dance performances.