After a break of five years, the Dhaka International Folk Fest is set to return, bringing back the celebration of Bangladesh's rich folk music. Asifuzzaman Khan, Director of Finance at Sun Communications Ltd, confirmed the news to Prothom Alo, saying that preparations are ongoing and more details will be shared in an upcoming press conference.
The festival first started in 2015 at Dhaka's Army Stadium and continued every year until 2019. It quickly gained international fame, showcasing Bangla folk music to a global audience. The organisers aimed to share the beauty of Bangla music with the world, taking advantage of platforms like television and social media to spread awareness about the event.
The festival features both local and international artists, which has helped it grow and increase the popularity of folk music in Bangladesh. It did not take place in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has been on hold since then. This year's event promises to be even more exciting, with discussions underway to create a lineup full of surprises.
An official from Sun Communications, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed enthusiasm about the festival's return, stating that it has always been loved by people across the country. Another official mentioned that they are still planning but are committed to bringing back the festival with a bigger and better experience for everyone.
Ajay Kumar Kundu, COO of Mediacom Ltd, also highlighted the challenges faced in hosting the event over the last five years. However, he assured that the Folk Fest team is actively working to bring it back. The last festival in 2019 featured performances
from 500 artists from 17 countries, making it a memorable event for all.
