Burning Crab Festival concludes with cultural splendour
The three-day Burning Crab Festival came to a close, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the hill tracts and coastal regions. Hosted at the Mermaid Beach Resort, the event featured six stages, each showcasing a diverse array of performances.
As night fell, the festival grounds transformed into a spectacle of rhythm and tradition. A DJ set electrified one stage, while a striking crab-shaped platform became the focal point for indigenous dance forms. Young performers from Bandarban, Rangamati, and Khagrachhari captivated audiences with the Chata Dance, Bottle Dance, Jhum Dance, and Bamboo Dance. Rakhine women from Cox's Bazar performed the graceful Thala Dance, their movements mirroring the waves.
Beyond the performances, the festival offered a culinary experience, with stalls serving traditional delicacies.
On the final day of the festival, the Director General of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed, was present. He thoroughly enjoyed the event and expressed his admiration for its diversity and artistic elegance.
Dr Syed Jamil Ahmed stated, "This festival is truly extraordinary. It seamlessly blends modern elements with aesthetic lighting, our cultural heritage of Baul music, and the indigenous dance traditions. It is truly remarkable. Not only did the younger generation experience this cultural celebration, but foreign visitors also gained insight into our rich traditions."
Held at Mermaid Beach Resort on the serene shores of Peya Island along Marine Drive, the festival featured a spectacular lineup of performances by both local and international artists. Audiences were captivated by mesmerising fire shows, dazzling light displays, and the participation of talented local performers. Additionally, the festival screened "Boli: The Wrestler", a prestigious film that won the top award at the renowned Busan International Film Festival in Asia.
Anisul Haque Chowdhury, Managing Director of Mermaid Eco-Tourism Limited and organiser of the Burning Crab Festival, stated that the three-day event welcomed at least 2,000 attendees, including 200 foreign tourists from 15 countries, such as Japan, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan, Vietnam, and the United States. He noted that everyone was delighted to celebrate in the serene coastal setting. The festival was organised not only to promote tourism in Cox's Bazar but also to showcase Bangladesh's rich culture to the world.
He further mentioned that the success of the Burning Crab Festival has been highly encouraging, and there are plans to host it on an even larger scale in the future.
One of the world's largest art and culture festivals, the Burning Man Festival, is held annually in the desert of Black Rock City, Nevada, USA. Artists, entrepreneurs, and spectators from all corners of the globe gather there to celebrate creativity, openness, and freedom—the core essence of the festival.
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