Eleven Countries Joined Bangladesh to Observe Ekushe in the Netherlands

Press Release

Eleven countries joined Bangladesh to observe Ekushe in the Netherlands

24 February 2018, The Hague:

As a part of different programs to observe the Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day, the Embassy of Bangladesh in The Hague arranged a day long program today (24 February 2018). Despite sub-zero temperature, more than 300 guests gathered to commemorate the day. The highlight of this year’s event, likewise earlier years, as many as eleven other embassies-India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, the Netherlands, Russian Federation, Morocco, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iran and countries joined Bangladesh to make this event truly multicultural and participatory.

Our language martyrs, who sacrificed their lives, for making us speak in our mother tongue, have reasons to take solace to the fact that our immortal Ekushe is truly a global event where Bangladesh turned itself into a platform offering space for others for their united appeal to promote multilingualism and diversity.

Apart from large number of expatriate Bangladesh community, students, Dutch nationals, members of media, diplomats etc attended the programme. To ensure participation of a good number of participants, the Embassy organized the event on a weekend day.

The event begun with placing floral wreath at a temporary Shaheed Minar put up in hounour of language martyrs. Along with H. E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh, Ambassadors of Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Russian Federation, Morocco, Vietnam, Malaysia, representatives of India, Nepal, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kenya also joined the procession and paid their respects. Later, leaders of Netherlands Awami-League, expatriate Bangladesh community and other guests also placed flowers at the Shaheed Minar.

Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, in his speech, paid tributes to the language martyrs of 1952 and emphasized the significance of protection and preservation of more than 7000 Mother Languages of the world. Ambassador Belal also mentioned that The Hague Municipal authority allocated a land for Shaheed Minar construction and foundation for that construction has already been laid at Zuiderpark in The Hague by Foreign Secretary H.E. Mr. Shahidul Haque on 19 February 2018. He expressed deep gratitude to The Hague Municipal authority, especially to the Deputy Mayor of The Hague Municipality, for extending necessary permission in this regard. Ambassador also briefly highlighted the background of immortal 21st February, UNESCO recognition as International Mother Language Day and how 21st February acted as a constant source of inspiration in our great liberation war which we fought under the leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Ambassador also highlighted ongoing development spree in the country and urged all to do their part to sustain and expedite this development.

Other Ambassadors were also invited to address their remarks about native culture, heritage and mother language. They appreciated the role of Embassy of Bangladesh in upholding the strength of multilingualism, peace and humanity.

Dr. Dilruba Nasrin, wife of Ambassador Belal, moderated a segment where all attending Ambassadors and diplomats were made to speak in their mother tongue as well as in Bangla. Their chorus of love for mother tongue exuded a new kind of emotion in the audience as language and mother were found inexorably inseparable. Ambassador Russian Federation made a minute long speech in Bengali and later admitted the he has been training himself for this event for weeks. The culiminaitng chorus of “Dhonnobad Bangladesh” was echoed much beyond the hall room as audience greeted them with thumping apprecaiton.

Later, colourful and diverse cultural performances were presented by Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Russia and Netherlands. Children of Bangladesh played a short drama in Bangla which depicts the history of 21st February 1952 and how this day achieved recognition as International Mother Language Day. Bangladesh origin Dutch children sang the song of the immortal 21st February in Bangla and in Dutch language simultaneously.

As a guest of honour, Ms. Kana Verheul, President of Stichting (Foundation) Shapla community, the organization for the adoptees from Bangladesh presented a heart touching presentation regarding journey in search of her root in Bangladesh. Ms. Kana was adopted as an infant by Dutch parents after our glorious liberation war of 1971. After enormous effort of 40 years she found her root in Bangladesh and met her biological sister confirmed by DNA tests. She emphasized on the rights of adopted children to know their origin as well as urged to the Governments of Netherlands and Bangladesh for supporting in such a noble initiative.

The guests praised the initiative of Embassy of Bangladesh for organizing the programme involving performers of other countries which truly added different dimensions in the programme. They mentioned that Embassy of Bangladesh created a platform to showcase cultural integration and harmony. Overall, attending the expatriate Bangladesh community and guests expressed their satisfaction. Guests were served with traditional Bangladesh lunch and guests were seen to exchanging themselves for hours after the event.

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