Two-day Beach Festival ends at Cox's Bazar. Photo : BSS

COX'S BAZAR, Feb 23, 2025 (BSS) - A two-day beach festival organized by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has concluded at Cox's Bazar sea beach with the participation of 21 ethnic groups.

The festival at the Laboni point area of the Cox's Bazar sea beach ended on Saturday as it was inaugurated marking the International Mother Language Day.

The main objective of the program was to show the diversified Bangladeshi culture to the world and to honor the mother languages of other ethnic groups through displaying different cultural activities.

Huge enthusiasm was seen among the tourists on the occasion of the festival. Different ethnic groups performed Ekhusey's song, national songs and various cultural songs.

Artists from different ethnic groups like Chakma, Marma, Mro, Tripura, Lusai, Khumi, Bom, Kheyang, Chak, Pankhoya, Tanchangya, Manipuri, Sawtal, Mahali, Orao, Malpaharia, Garo, Hajong, Coach and Rakhain were participated at the festival.

Besides, Cox's Bazar Zila Shilpakala Academy, Upazila Shilpakala Academy and local artists also participated at the festival.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Cox's Bazar, Mohammad Salahuddin presided over the concluding ceremony of the festival and Director General (DG) Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed addressed the event as chief guest.

Addressing the program, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy DG Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed said that Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy wants to organize people's friendly cultural programme for the people.

In his speech, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin said, "The beach festival has given fresh entertainment to the tourists visiting Cox's Bazar this vacation. The entertainment trend would be tried to hold continue every year."

At the outset of the programme, the artists sung 'Ekhuseyer Gaan' in different languages. Later, different ethnic groups staged cultural functions like 'Marma Pakha Dance', 'Bom Jibon Dhara Dance', 'Khumi Fishing Dance', 'Peacock Dance', 'Chakma Song', 'Tripura Song.