A two-day "First Rajshahi Literary Festival 2026" has begun here, carrying the messages of literature, art and humanitarian resistance.
The festival was inaugurated on Friday at Boro Kuthi Open Stage near Padma Garden in the city.
Organized by Rajshahi Writers Collective, the event will continue until Saturday.
The festival commenced with the theme "Human Imagination Against War and Aggression," beginning with the national anthem performed by Sannidhi Sangeet Niketan.
The programme was hosted by Atikur Rahman Atik, organiser of Rajshahi Writers Collective and President of Barendra Youth Forum.
A welcome speech was delivered by poet and organiser Rafique Jibran while the festival declaration was read out by organiser and editor Nadim Sina. Poet and musician Kofil Ahmed also took part in music and discussions.
Solidarity speeches were delivered by writer and researcher Pavel Partha, Rajshahi University teacher Kazi Shusmin Afsana, poet Mostak Rahman, and lawyer and cultural activist Murad Morshed.
In their remarks, the speakers strongly emphasized the necessity of unified, organised, and ethical resistance against war and aggression.
They called upon writers, artists, and conscious citizens to take a stronger stand against imperialist aggression and build active solidarity with the struggles of oppressed people.
The speakers expressed solidarity with war-affected and oppressed people in Gaza, Iran, Venezuela, Ukraine and other parts of the world.
In the first session, members of the Rajshahi Recitation Council participated in poetry recitation. Students from various educational institutions also took part in anti-war and anti-aggression art activities. The festival venue also features exhibitions of little magazines, books, and posters.
There will also be sessions on anti-war literature, history and heritage-based human memory, little magazine movements, and representations of resistance and humanity in films and visual media.
Renowned writers, researchers, and filmmakers from across the country are expected to participate.
Additionally, the festival includes screenings of anti-war documentaries and short films, along with performances of songs, musical dramas, and street theatre.
