World Music Day festival concludes today at Shilpakala Academy

The two-day World Music Day celebration at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy concludes today (June 22) with a series of musical performances and cultural events at the academy premises in the capital.

The festival began on Saturday (June 21) with a colourful procession and traditional drum performances that filled the academy grounds despite persistent monsoon rain. Organised by the academy, the event brought together leading musicians, instrumentalists and cultural figures in a celebration of music's universal appeal.

Today's closing ceremony is scheduled to begin at 5:30pm. The chief guest will be Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Industrial Affairs, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, who holds ministerial rank. Special guest will be Emran Saleh Prince, while Zakir Hossain Rokon will attend as guest of honour.

The programme will be chaired by Cultural Affairs Secretary Kaniz Mowla. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Director General and poet Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed will deliver the welcome address.

The opening day's performances featured an instrumental ensemble led by Partha Majumder, alongside appearances by noted singers Agun, Fahmida Nabi, Meherin and Alif Alauddin. International performances by artists invited through the Chinese and Japanese embassies also drew enthusiastic audience response.

The festival marks Bangladesh's observance of World Music Day through performances spanning folk, contemporary, instrumental and international musical traditions.