The Bangla Academy has concluded its six-month ‘Bangla Academy Writers’ Workshop and Book Publication Festival 2025’ with the publication of 18 books, certificate distribution and a closing ceremony aimed at encouraging emerging writers.
The closing event was held on Sunday at 4pm at the Kobi Shamsur Rahman Seminar Room of the academy. Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Kaniz Mowla attended as the chief guest.
Bangla Academy Director and Secretary (additional charge) Samir Kumar Sarker delivered the welcome address, while Director General Professor Mohammad Azam chaired the programme.
In his speech, Samir Kumar Sarker said the Bangla Academy continues to undertake various initiatives to support the creative development of young writers across the country.
“The Bangla Academy Writers’ Workshop and Book Publication Festival 2025 is one such initiative,” he said, adding that the successful completion of the programme has encouraged the academy to undertake more initiatives for emerging writers.
As chief guest, Kaniz Mowla said the government has taken various initiatives to engage the younger generation with art, literature and culture and help build a healthy society.
“The Ministry of Cultural Affairs is playing a leading role in this regard,” she said.
She described the workshop and publication initiative, which received special support from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, as an important platform for emerging poets, fiction writers, playwrights, essayists and researchers.
According to her, such programmes provide young writers with opportunities to develop their creativity, talent and intellectual pursuits.
The unveiling of 18 books published through the programme was one of the highlights of the event.
The cover of the programme’s souvenir, ‘Bohuswara’, was also unveiled during the ceremony.
Professor Mohammad Azam said the academy had designed the initiative in a new format and on a larger scale, drawing on its previous experience of organising programmes and training initiatives for young writers.
He said the six-month workshop had been successfully completed, with each participating writer given the opportunity to have a book published by the Bangla Academy.
“We hope they will play an important role in literary practice and intellectual engagement in the future,” he said.
The programme also featured the distribution of certificates among the participating writers.
Bangla Academy Deputy Director Dr Sahed Montaz conducted the closing ceremony.
