The month-long Jamdani Festival, which was organised by Bangladesh Jatiya Karushilpa Parishad - National Crafts Council of Bangladesh (NCCB), in collaboration with the Bengal Foundation, and held at Bengal Shilpalay, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, ended on 12 October, 2019.

The final day was highlighted with the awarding of certificates to the participating weavers in recognition of their unparalleled skills at the closing ceremony. The Minister for Ministry of Textiles and Jute, Golam Dastagir Gazi (Bir Pratik), MP, was present as Chief Guest at the closing ceremony to distribute the certificates. Also present during the ceremony were Mohammad Belayet Hossain, Secretary-in-Charge of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute; Rafiqul Islam, President of the National Crafts Council of Bangladesh; Ruby Ghuznavi, Executive Member of NCCB; Chandra Shekhar Shaha, designer, curator and Executive Member, NCCB; Abul Khair, Chairman of Bengal Foundation; and Luva Nahid Choudhury, Director General of Bengal Foundation. The event was hosted by Sheikh Saifur Rahman.

The most anticipated part of this ceremony was the announcement of Sonargaon as a World Crafts City. This accreditation from the World Craft Council means that for the first time ever, a city from Bangladesh has been awarded this honour.

This will also solidify the path for 'Creative Tourism' in the region with an enhanced scope for local creativity, talent, and experience. Bangladesh's Sonargaon is now on the same platform of regional and international skills exchange as Mahabalipuram (stone carving) and Jaipur (ornaments) in India, Bornholm (ceramics) in Denamrk, Sakon Nakhon (indigo dye) in Thailand, and numerous other craft cities around the world.

The festival marked the initiative in restoring the quality and exquisite design content of Jamdanis which sets it apart from all other textiles of the world.

Catch all the main highlights of the event at www.facebook.com/jamdanifest