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22 Feb, 2025

Bangladesh steps up soft power outreach in Thailand

Bangkok – Bangladesh is stepping up its cultural activities as part of a strategic policy to showcase soft-power facets of Bangladesh society “that may not always be apparent to Thai audiences beyond certain stereotypes,” says Bangladeshi Ambassador to Thailand Mr Faiyaz Murshid Kazi. A literary event featuring Bangladeshi authors was held on Feb 13 followed by a second one with Bangladeshi poets on Feb 22 to mark International Mother Language Day.

Said the Ambassador, “A number of literary events are being planned and organized to share snapshots of the diverse literary traditions prevailing in Bangladesh, and the attachment our people generally feel to literature and certain arts forms.”

On Feb 13, two Bangladeshi authors gave talks on their works at a session organised at the Neilson Hays Library, entitled “English Writings from a Living Delta”. The session featured Saad Z Hossain, a Dhaka-based author of English novels, short stories, and op-eds, and M K Aaref, a Toronto-based writer of Bangladeshi origin. The session was moderated by Ms Su Ching Teh, a writer-producer based in Singapore.

The second event is planned for 22 February entitled, “Language Matters, Poetry Nurtures”, featuring Bangladesh poets and linguistic experts. Members of the National Poets Association, Thailand, have also been invited to share their poems.

Said Ambassador Kazi, “UNESCO and Mahidol University have been observing the Day (IMLD) here for the last couple of years, mostly focusing on multilingual education. They’re doing two separate events this year on Friday to mark the silver jubilee. We have a linguistics expert from Bangladesh expected to give a talk, among others. A number of Embassies here have also agreed to join poetry readings in their mother tongues.”

He added, “Most importantly, these events are being held in February in the spirit of the Language Martyrs’ Day observed on 21 February in Bangladesh. In 1999, UNESCO declared it to be the International Mother Language Day, with its silver jubilee being observed this year. Promoting linguistic rights and diversity has thus become a critical ‘soft power’ tool for Bangladesh’s diplomatic pursuits.”