Pictured H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh and his spouse Dr Dilruba Nasrin, with students.
Bangladesh showcases rich culture and cuisine at the Embassy Festival in the Netherlands
Bangladesh Embassy was one of 42 Embassies that put up their own pavilion in this year’s flagship event of the Netherlands’ Embassy Festival. This is the first time Bangladesh Pavilion was there in the mosaic of diverse diplomatic community in the Netherlands.
The way Thailand promoted their cuisine, Malaysia promoted their tourism, South Africa introduced their wines; Bangladesh Embassy showcased its food, culture and handicrafts.
Thousands of people, along with family and friends, joined this Festival with fanfare and enthusiasm. The local Municipal Council made this event almost a “must” visit item with round the year preparation and publicity. As it was a sunny autumn day, there were no ends to the stream of visitors to this festival.
Throughout the festival day, Bangladesh pavilion and the surrounding area was humming in Bangla as it has turned into the meeting point of Bangladesh community people. A sizable presence of students from Bangladesh, who are pursuing their higher studies in the Netherlands, is a conspicuous characteristic of this year’s presence. As the Embassy undertook month long preparation and publicity, young students marked the day to make it a rendezvous far from home.
Bangladesh pavilion was decorated in a traditional theme with nokshi katha, colourful jamdani etc. As a demonstration of Bangladeshi cuisine, food items like shingara, piaju, chotpoti, biriani, fish chop, patishapta, narikel puli were on the offer. Bangladeshi food items were much in demand to both international visitors and nationals.
Bangladesh pavilion also displayed traditional handicrafts typically made by the rural women which included nokshi katha, clay show pieces, jute goods, brassware, etc. The visitors appreciated the handicrafts and some of them picked up the items of their choice. An attraction of Bangladesh pavilion was its rich display of Jamdani Sarees from Bangladesh. International visitors took a deep interest in sarees, dresses and crafts. Other garments items were also in display and demand.
To give a glimpse of Bangladeshi culture to the wide world Bangladeshi children’s dance troupe performed a dance fusion with popular folk songs at the creative arena. Clad in red jamdani and with other traditional accessories, the children attracted huge attention. A lot of people were seen requesting the children to pose for photos.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal and his spouse Dr Dilruba Nasrin were present at the Bangladesh Pavilion throughout the day. They welcomed the guests to the pavilion and spent time with them. The Ambassador described this experience as a very rewarding and valuable one. In an interview with Diplomatic Magazine, Ambassador Belal described this year’s participation as a ‘message for the international community to visit Bangladesh, to experience the difference’. The invitation was made to witness the development spree in Bangladesh and be a partner in their journey.
Ambassador Belal also engaged with the visitors and Students as they wish to hear more about Bangladesh and its development. Ambassador Belal also mentioned that this kind of participation not only raise Bangladesh national flag in the international arena but also allows some space to expatriate Bangladeshis to take pride with their roots.
—————
Photography by the Embassy of Bangladesh in The Hague.
