To celebrate the winter season, the British Council hosted a two day long Poush Mela (Winter Fair) at the British Council premises (Dhaka University campus office) with great excitement and the spirit of vibrant Bangladeshi culture and heritage.
It was an open fair where people from all background joined to celebrate the warmth of winter. The main attractions of the Poush Mela were live Bengali folk music performances, bioscope and puppet show. The two days fair was organised in collaboration with Mr. Noodles and Red Carpet 365 Ltd on 12 and 13 January 2018. The fair was open for all age group. Around 6000 people visited the fair over the two days.
People were welcomed with a creative traditional entrance decorated with the theme of “village hut” evoking the nostalgia of rural life of Bangladesh. Furthermore, to highlight the traditional skills of the artisans; a small exhibition mostly with the women entrepreneurs, was arranged. These entrepreneurs exhibited and sold pitha-puli (sweets), handicrafts, garment items, paintings, clay items, publication, decorative plants, miniature of the popular historical sites etc.
With a fusion of the rural Bengal and the urban style, a wide range of events and activities were arranged focusing the children, youth and adults. They enjoyed performances by Baul musicians, poetry recitals by Monsoon Letters and musical performances by rising stars. In addition to this, there were cartoon mascots and jumping games to entertain the children, selfie booths for all groups of people and an installed bioscope, which is a very unique Bangali culture.
Not only was the fair riddled with entertainment, the kids and teenagers received an opportunity to learn English as well. Moreover, the visitors had an access to information regarding the English courses, IELTS exam and other such services provided by the British Council. Ten lucky visitors received free British Council Library memberships over the two-days.
Overall it was a festive ambience with the touch of variety of entertainment for all age groups.