Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki announced on Monday that memorials will be constructed in all 64 districts across Bangladesh to commemorate the martyrs of the July Uprising.
Speaking at a press conference at Ganabhaban, as part of the “July uprising reawakening programmes,” he said the construction work on a memorial in Narayanganj would begin on Monday. The construction of memorials in all districts is expected to be completed by August 4.
“These memorials will be text-based, as the July Movement was significantly driven by slogans, poems, statements, and writings. The initiative to build these memorials is aimed at introducing the sacrifices of the July martyrs to the new generation,” the adviser explained.
He also revealed that five advisers of the interim government – Asif Nazrul, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adilur Rahman Khan, CR Abrar and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan – will visit the sites on Monday.
Highlighting events outside Dhaka, Farooki said that on July 16 – designated as July Martyrs’ Day – several advisers will travel to Rangpur’s Begum Rokeya University to pay tribute to martyr Abu Sayeed and others.
In Chattogram, multiple documentary screenings and a concert featuring artists from both Chattogram and Dhaka will be held at the stadium in Kazir Dewri, culminating in a drone art display. The final concert lineup will be announced in a press conference on July 16.
In addition, he announced that the July Memorial Museum will be officially inaugurated on August 5 at Ganabhaban, although it will take additional time before welcoming general audiences.
The press conference was also joined by Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid, who stated that work has begun on compiling a complete list of the women warriors of the July Uprising. Under a special programme titled “July Konna”, her ministry will also launch initiatives focused on women’s empowerment.
The interim government has rolled out a series of commemorative initiatives throughout July to mark the historic uprising, including the construction of memorials, creation of documentation, and welfare programmes.
Farooki also shared that a special cultural event will take place Monday evening at Central Shaheed Minar, hosted by female students of Dhaka University.
Supported by the Chinese Embassy, a special drone show portraying 16 years of authoritarian Awami League rule will take place after the cultural event at night.
Later, the female students will lead a symbolic “Thala-Bati procession” (pot-and-pan rally), commemorating the July Uprising. The entire programme will be broadcast live on a digital screen at the venue for public viewing.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, and Assistant Press Secretary Suchismita Tithi were also present at the conference.