By Roy Lie Atjam
Celebration of fifty years (Golden Jubilee) of the Independence of Bangladesh and also Bangladesh – Netherlands diplomatic relations on the 28th March 2022. An evening of Bangladesh – the Netherlands celebration, at the heart of The Hague.
H.E. Ambassador Riaz Hamidullah hosted a reception at the phenomenal Grote Kerk. Diplomats, dignitaries, international judges, public servants, distinguished Dutch friends, and Bangladeshi diaspora responded to the cordial invitation and attended the marvellous reception.
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The guests enjoyed typical Bangladeshi hospitality, music, a video screening and an authentic Bangladeshi buffet topped off with a speech by Ambassador Riaz Hamidullah.
Here follows an extract of a statement issued by the Embassy of Bangladesh in the Netherlands ” it’s a modest opportunity to convey our gratitude for recognizing the ‘idea of Bangladesh’ within 2 month’s of her emergence out of a brutal War and Genocide. For standing thick and thin with a people five decades on – in rain, sun, storms.
To everyone from the Netherlands who joined us (and even who couldn’t), my gratitude.
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It’s not just an evening to celebrate the journey in past five decades e.g. story of 70,000 Dutch tulips blossoming in Bangladesh soil thru ordinary farmers; 20 frames on display (out of the Embassy of Bangladesh in the Netherlands Deltares collaborative Photo Contest); crafts on display; AVs on screen; Journey of Amit Biswas (for his phenomenal Logo Land) or young Saraf N. (as President of Technische Universiteit Delft students body) illustrate a new level of friendship n collaboration.
All spoke of a people connecting with values-aspirations-resilience in Dutch people, irrespective of endowments or capacity.
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Prof. Dr Jan Pronk‘s recollection of conversation with 🇧🇩 Father of Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, quote from a Bangladesh poet laureate, recollection of 1971 War-Genocide, portrayal of the vision (Sonar Bangla) in continuum – all portrayed of a treasured Dutch view of Bangladesh as our walk began.
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Humbled to hear perspectives from Drs. Paul Huijts, Permanent-Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as he shared of Dutch approach/engagements with Bangladesh – at bilateral as well as global levels.
Celebration in Bangladesh is incomplete without music: so we presented 4 notable musicians and also a Dutch – all the way from Bangladesh. Through 2 Dutch songs + 1 Friesian + 4 melodies from Bangladesh we tried to pay tribute to all women-men and enterprises/entities for their friendship, collaboration, and support.
Let the sounds travel beyond walls, in tested and trusted ties between the two peoples. In celebrating empathy, harmony, inclusion for all people”.
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Long live Bangladesh-the Netherlands friendship!
Joy Bangla!