NSU concert celebrates Bangladesh’s Victory, Russia-Bangladesh friendship
A special musical concert at North South University (NSU) has celebrated the 55th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Victory and the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and Russia, highlighting the role of cultural diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations.
Titled “Echoes of Freedom, Bonds of Friendship”, the concert was organised on November 11 by the Russian House in Dhaka in cooperation with North South University and The Melodiya Collective.
The event brought together classical compositions and traditional Russian folk music, offering the audience an insight into Russia’s rich cultural heritage and its enduring musical traditions.
The programme was divided into two sections, beginning with classical performances of Vocalise by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Chant du ménestrel (Minstrel’s Song) by Alexander Glazunov.
The second section featured popular Russian folk melodies and other musical pieces, including Vo pole beryoza stoyala (In the Field Stood a Birch Tree), Svetit mesyats (The Moon Is Shining), Kamarinskaya by Mikhail Glinka, Valenki (Felt Boots) and Kalinka by Ivan Larionov.
The programme also included Nostalgia by Alexey Kozlov and Korobeiniki (The Peddlers), a traditional melody with lyrics by Nikolay Nekrasov.
Moving from the emotional depth of classical compositions to the lively rhythms of traditional folk music, The Melodiya Collective showcased the diversity and artistic richness of Russian music.
Beyond its cultural significance, the concert served as a tribute to the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and Russia, rooted in shared historical experiences and strengthened through decades of cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
The celebration also underscored the importance of cultural diplomacy in deepening mutual understanding and creating stronger connections between the two countries, particularly among younger generations.
Through music and artistic exchange, the organisers sought to highlight the enduring ties between Bangladesh and Russia and reaffirm the contribution of cultural cooperation to bilateral relations.
