Social welfare adviser Sharmeen S Murshid at a programme in Dhaka on Friday said that cultural and religious diversity of the country must be protected.
She also said that dishonest and corrupt people could not rule a country.
鈥榃e believe in cultural and religious diversity of Bangladesh, and have to protect them,鈥� she said while inaugurating the two-year project 鈥業mplementing community-based heritage festivals in eight administrative divisions of the country鈥�.
Organised by Bangladesh National Museum, the UNESCO Dhaka office in-charge Susan Vize and artistic director of Shadhona Lubna Marium spoke at the programme, which was presided over by National Museum director general Md Ataur Rahman. 聽
The programme unveiled four books of Lubna Marium on Bangladesh鈥檚 intangible cultural heritage 鈥� Terracotta Tales from Somapura; Ras Mela: Atonement by the Sea; Of Myths, Monsoons and Manasa; and Lathikhela: Dance or Defence? 鈥� published by Shadhona.
Professor of Dhaka University Niranjan Adhikari spoke about the books at the programme.聽 聽
Susan Vize said that the UNESCO worked for safeguarding the intangible cultural heritages with government and non-government organisations by involving local leaders, art practitioners and people. 聽
Eight organisations will work with eight communities to develop their cultural heritage and create capacity building to protect them, mentioned Lubna Marium, adding, 鈥榃e forget the cultural and ritual diversity of Bangladesh. Our next generation should work for the development of the culture of the country.鈥� 聽
The programme also marked the International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
After the inauguration ceremony, a cultural performance comprised a presentation about Baha of Santal, Sangrai of Marma, Lai Haraoba of Manipuri, Shaowner Dala of Nachari, Rash Mela of Motua, among others.
