The 12th edition of the ‘Ganga-Jamuna Cultural Festival’ is all set to enthrall audiences from October 6 to October 17 at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) and Mahila Samiti in the capital.

Known as one of the major cultural festivals in the country, the 2023 edition of this festival will showcase the performances of 145 troupes from both Bangladesh and India, representing a wide range of creative disciplines including theatre, dance, recitation, music, and more.

This year, an estimated 4,000 performers are expected to attend, making it one of the largest cultural festivals in the subcontinent as well, the organisers of the festival told a press conference on Wednesday at BSA’s National Theatre Hall seminar room.

The festival will be inaugurated by eminent thespian and cultural personality Ramendu Majumdar at the National Theatre Hall of BSA on October 6, Friday. State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid will be present as the chief guest.

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The inauguration ceremony will be presided over by Sammilita Sangskritik Jote President Golam Kuddus. Former Cultural Affairs Minister and eminent actor Asaduzzaman Noor, prominent thespian Mamunur Rashid and BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky will deliver speeches at the inauguration ceremony.

On the opening day, the drama troupe Theatre will showcase its popular play ‘Meraj Fokirer Ma’ at the National Theatre Hall after the inauguration ceremony, while Batighor will stage ‘Bhogoban Paliye Gechhe’ at the Experimental Theatre Hall; and Ekota Nattyagoshthi, Kishoreganj will showcase its play ‘1971’ at the Studio Theatre Hall.

Several renowned Indian theatre troupes, namely Onik, Ajker Projonmo, Gobordanga Noksha, Dolls Theatre and others will participate and showcase their theatrical and cultural performances in the festival.

Live cultural performances will be showcased every day from 4 pm to 6:30 pm at BSA’s Mukta Mancha, while the theatre productions will be presented every day at 7 pm at the three aforementioned BSA venues and Bangladesh Mohila Samity’s Neelima Ibrahim Auditorium.

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The festival is launching online tickets for the first time and tickets for stage dramas will be available online at www.bdeticket.com. Additionally, tickets can be purchased at the hall counters from 4 pm onwards, the organizers said at the press conference.

The festival will be concluded on October 17.