NN Online:
BRAC University is celebrating the rich and ancient cultural ties between Bangladesh and China through a week-long event titled Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Week, launched on June 22 at the university’s Merul Badda campus.
The celebration is part of the broader Millennium Cultural Bonds: China-Bangladesh Cultural Exchange Month, jointly organized by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Bangladesh and the BRAC Institute of Languages.
The event was inaugurated by Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University, at the university’s Exhibition Gallery. The opening ceremony featured mesmerizing performances of traditional Chinese instruments such as the guzheng and erhu, along with energetic demonstrations of martial arts.
A vibrant exhibition is also being held, showcasing traditional Chinese handicrafts, musical instruments, and cultural artifacts, giving visitors a glimpse into China’s rich intangible cultural heritage.
Speakers at the event emphasized that the relationship between Bangladesh and China transcends diplomacy—it is a thousand-year-old cultural bond grounded in shared human values. They noted that intangible cultural heritage acts as a timeless bridge connecting the past, present, and future of both nations.
Distinguished guests included Dr. Susan Vize, UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh; Mohammad Wares Hossain, Acting Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy; Ariful Haque, Director of the National Library of Bangladesh; and Li Shaopeng, Cultural Adviser at the Chinese Embassy.
Also present were Han Zhiqiang and Yuan Xiuhuan, designated bearers of Chinese intangible cultural heritage, as well as representatives from cultural organizations, and both local and international guests.
China currently holds the highest number of intangible cultural heritage items recognized by UNESCO, underscoring the global significance of this cultural exchange.
