The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced it on the 11th session of the Inter-governmental Committee on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The UNESCO committee noted that Mangal Shobhajatra, organized by the teachers and the students of Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts to celebrate the first day of Bengali New Year, symbolizes the pride of the people of Bangladesh.
They mentioned that it is a living heritage of the country and it also symbolizes their strength and courage to fight sinister forces, and their vindication of truth and justice.
“The inclusion of Mangal Shovajatra in the list of cultural heritage of humanity is the result of the Government’s proactive cultural diplomacy, reads the statement adding it will help reinforce Bangladesh’s image as a secular state,” said a statement by the UNESCO.
Mongol Shobhajatra is an integral part of Pahela Boishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year.
Inspired by a similar procession that had taken place in Jessore in 1985, the trio along with their classmates and friends first brought out the procession in 1989, which over the years spread countrywide and became an integral part of Bangali culture.
Since then, the DU Fine Arts Faculty has been organising Mongol Shobhajatra every year in Dhaka, which is attended by not only the students and teachers of the university, but also thousands of people from all walks of life.
