Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury stresses community participation, youth engagement and women's contributions to preserving Bangladesh's tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
DHAKA, October 24, 2026: Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury has stressed the importance of community participation in preserving Bangladesh's intangible cultural heritage, saying the country's cultural identity extends far beyond historical monuments and archaeological artefacts.
People's lifestyles, folklore, festivals, music, dance, traditional crafts, indigenous knowledge and healing practices are integral to the nation's heritage and must be protected through active participation by local communities, he said.
The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at an international seminar titled “International Seminar on Community Based Safeguarding and Knowledge Exchange for Cultural Heritage” at the Kabi Sufia Kamal Auditorium of the Bangladesh National Museum in Shahbagh, Dhaka, on Saturday.
“Unity in diversity is the cultural strength of Bangladesh,” Nitai Roy said, highlighting the diversity of lifestyles, rituals and festivals among communities living in the country's hills and plains.
Despite these differences, he said, people remain united by their national identity and patriotism.
He called for the participation of people from all communities and walks of life to sustain Bangladesh's rich cultural traditions and ensure their transmission to future generations.
The minister said Bangladesh's heritage had been shaped by thousands of years of cultural experiences. The peaceful observance of religious and social festivals by different communities, he added, reflected the country's traditions of mutual respect, tolerance and communal harmony.
Local festivals, boat races, folk music and dance also play an important role in bringing people together, fostering social cohesion and strengthening bonds among communities, he said.
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs is working to expand traditional cultural events, including boat races, across different regions of the country, he added.
Emphasising the need to engage younger generations, Nitai Roy said greater participation in sports, folk festivals and cultural activities could help develop young people's creativity and sense of social responsibility.
Such engagement could also play a positive role in discouraging drug use and other harmful activities among young people, he said.
The minister also highlighted women's contributions to social and cultural development, describing their role in preserving traditions and passing cultural knowledge from one generation to another as indispensable.
He said the government was working to promote women's dignity, security, equal rights and empowerment, while encouraging the development of their potential.
The minister stressed that local communities' knowledge and lived experiences must receive due recognition in efforts to preserve cultural heritage.
Engaging community members in identifying, documenting, practising and transmitting traditional customs would make preservation efforts more effective and sustainable, he said.
The seminar focused on community-based approaches to safeguarding cultural heritage and exchanging knowledge among relevant stakeholders.
Bangladesh National Museum Director General Tanjim Ibne Wahab presided over the event. Yasmin Begum, secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, and a representative of UNESCO also spoke.
Officials from the National Museum and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, cultural personalities, researchers and representatives from relevant fields attended the seminar.
Following the discussion, the minister watched cultural performances by members of the Hajong and Manipuri communities, showcasing the country's diverse cultural traditions.
The emphasis on community-led preservation comes as traditional practices, folk expressions and indigenous knowledge remain important elements of Bangladesh's cultural identity, highlighting the need to ensure that the communities sustaining these traditions have an active role in protecting them.
