Celebrating local artisans: Aarong 40 Years Festival

Aarong steps into its 40th year celebration, aptly titled “Aarong 40 years Festival”, with a three-day long event.

Arranged between 25 October and 27 October, the festival included a fashion show, producer's award, live concerts, and 'live workshops' — stalls in which artisans showcased their craftsmanship —how to block print, how to to tie n' dye, make bamboo crafts, make wood-carving and paint rickshaw art.

Arranged at the Army Stadium, the event was inaugurated last Thursday by Asaduzzaman Noor, Minister of Cultural Affairs of the Government of Bangladesh, in the presence of Tamara Hasan Abed, Senior Director, BRAC Enterprise, and Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, Founder and Chairperson, BRAC. While addressing the audience, honourable minister Asaduzzaman Noor commended Aarong for working to preserve the art of handmade crafts for the last 40 years and helping grass root level workers, especially women to contribute and be a part of the economic progress that Aarong contributes to the nation.

Sir Fazle shared the inception of Aarong that started with helping weavers in Manikganj to how it has now successfully created employment for over 60,000 employees in the crafts and hand-made products industry across Bangladesh.

The festival was focused to give visitors and customers an insightful look into the rich heritage of handmade craftsmanship and how they end up on the shelves of Aarong. Towards the end of their speeches, the inauguration was symbolically expressed by freeing pigeons into the air.

— LS Desk

Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed