The Embassy of Bangladesh in Brussels has virtually celebrated the Bangla New Year 1428 in advance with the participation of more than eight thousand Bengali and foreign guests from Europe and different corners of the world.

Singer Nobonita Chowdhury performed songs from different regions and genres of the country in the event held on Monday, said the Embassy of Bangladesh in Brussels on Tuesday.

She rendered songs including Rabindra, Nazrul and Lalon Sangeet, songs of Hasan Raja, Vijay Sarkar, and Bhawaiya, which showcased the richness of Bengali songs to the world.

There was a narration in English by the singer on the theme and background of each song for foreign guests.

Ambassador Mahbub Hasan Saleh referred to the Pohela Baishakh as the biggest festival emanating from the heart of Bengali people above all differences.

He wished everyone a Happy Bangla New Year. He expressed hope that the pandemic situation would be over soon and it would be possible for all to celebrate the next Bangla New Year in person.

He also remembered with respect three million people who have perished from the COVID-19 pandemic around the world in last one year.

Louise Haxthausen, UNESCO Representative to the European Union and Director of the UNESCO Liaison Office in Brussels joined the celebration and wished all Happy Bangla New Year.

She mentioned the recognition of the Mangal Shobhajatra - the centerpiece of the Pohela Baishakh observance- as an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ by UNESCO in 2016, categorized on the representative list as a Heritage of Humanity.

In a video message, Brussels Mayor Philippe Close described Brussels as a multicultural city, very open to all communities, which has more than 184 nationalities including Bengali community.

He greeted all the members of the Bangladesh community living in Brussels in Bangla by saying, 'Shubha Bangla Noboborsha'.

Themis Christophidou, Director-General, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (EAC), European Commission, and the Department of South & East Asia and Oceania of the Federal Public Service, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Kingdom of Belgium wished a Happy Bangla New Year to the members of the Bengali community.

Ambassador Saleh also said that 2021 is a momentous year in the history of Bangladesh as the country is celebrating the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the Golden Jubilee - the 50th Anniversary of Independence of Bangladesh.

The event was organized at a virtual platform (Zoom webinar) following the local Covid-19 local guidelines.

The virtual event was live-streamed on the Facebook page of the Embassy.

The event will remain available on the Facebook page of the Embassy.