To celebrate and welcome the Bengali New Year, a discussion session and cultural programme were organized at the Bangladesh Embassy in Italy on May 18 - just over a month into the year 1430 on the Bangla calendar.
The culture and long heritage of Bangladesh were highlighted at the event showcasing traditional pitha (cake),melodious songs, spectacular dances and culinary traditions, said a press release.
The event was attended by high-ranking officials of Italian foreign and other ministries, ambassadors/permanent representatives of various countries, senior managers of the UN system, representatives of Italian civil society, journalists, artists and Honorary Consuls of Bangladesh as well as officers and officials of the Embassy and Consulate General in Milan.
Ambassador Md Shameem Ahsan and his wife Pandora Chowdhury welcomed the guests with traditional Boishakhi scarves (uttorio) and exchanged New Year greetings with them.
In his welcome remarks, the ambassador highlighted the richness of Bengali culture and mentioned the recognition of Mangal Shobhajatra by UNESCO as “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mankind” as a result of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's diplomatic initiative and said it adds a new dimension to Bangla New Year celebrations.
The Ambassador recalled with deep respect the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for the recognition of Pahela Baishakh as a public holiday and initiating observance of the day with celebratory activities.
Minister Alessandra Schiavo, Central Director of the Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, was present at the event as "Guest of Honour".
In her speech, she praised the Bangladesh community in Italy and highlighted the importance of the integration of the Bangladesh community in Italy with the Italian language and culture while underlining retention of their own cultural identities and practices.
Schiavo further mentioned that the Bangladeshi diaspora in Italy are making appreciable contributions to the social and economic sector of Italy, said the release.
Dr Francesco Zanini, a professor of Lumsa University, Rome presented the keynote speech in the discussion session.