Wahidul Islam :
To T.S. Eliot, April is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land… to Arundhati Roy, May in Ayemenem is scorching, but to Bangladeshis, February resonates best with fairs, festivities, and fun.
Yet, the abundance of fairs and festivals is dampening the festive spirits of the revelers, sparking a competition among event organizers to attract visitors amidst the plethora of concurrent fairs across the country.
On February 14, a convergence of celebrations-Saraswati Puja, Pahela Falgun, and Valentine’s Day-unfolded, offering a unique and joyous occasion, particularly for city dwellers seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of Dhaka.
Traders at the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) recently voiced their discontent, blaming mega fairs like the Amar Ekushey Book Fair and massive gatherings like Biswa Ijtema-held in two phases in February-for the low turnout at the DITF.
Numerous school playgrounds and fields are now venues for fairs and events across the country.
The festivity fervor isn’t confined to the capital; even in the port city of Chattogram, 70 artificial turf fields have emerged in the past three years.
These fields reportedly rent out hourly, ranging from Tk 500 to Tk 4000, depending on the services offered.
Meanwhile, sufferings of SSC students of Melandah of Jamalpur hogged the news headline due to fair and festivities.
Experts describe the February scenario as ‘festivalization,’ characterized by cultural institutions organizing fairs with diverse themes, concentrated in both space and time.
In light of Language Month, Dr. Tawohidul Haque, an Associate Professor and Social Criminologist at Dhaka University, highlighted the historical prevalence of numerous celebrations and socio-cultural events in Bangladesh during February.
Notable events include book fairs, International Mother Language Day on February 21st, spring festivals, drama festivals, and various other celebrations that significantly impact people’s lives across the country, particularly in the capital, often leading to engaging debates.
However, the proliferation of celebrations has posed a dilemma for many, including students.
Dr. Tawohidul emphasized that while there is no historical alternative perspective on these celebrations, there exists a notable deficiency in the organization of such events in Bangladesh.
Key considerations, including security, responsible participant behavior, sufficient space for celebrations, and easy accessibility to designated venues, need to be addressed.
Merely reducing the number of celebrations or days may not be effective unless concrete measures are implemented to preserve the cultural essence of these events. Otherwise, one person’s celebration or joy may inadvertently cause discomfort for others.
Dr. Tawohidul underscored the need for alternative thinking, particularly in densely populated areas and major cities in Bangladesh, regarding the organization of celebrations.
Reflecting on past experiences, Dr. Tawohidul stressed the importance of implementing a robust disciplinary force, either through law enforcement agencies or government initiatives.
Policy decisions are deemed essential for accepting and enforcing large-scale arrangements.
Despite facing initial criticisms, he proposed the necessity of defining a specific skill set for relevant institutions, aligned with national policies, to effectively organize celebrations and events.
