Pohela Falgun

"Pohela Falgun" means the first of the Falgun month, which marks the arrival of Spring ("Boshonto"). People all over the country welcome the season of flowers. Men and women traditionally wear yellow and orange. Poems, stage plays, dances and songs are being performed, with Dhaka University being the main area of the festivities.

Luckily I had this 13th of February off and my colleague advised me to go to university campus to enjoy this day in a sea of colours. I have never experienced "Pohela Falgun" in Bangladesh before so this was quite exciting to me, as I did not know what to expect.

Dhaka University was full of people - young and old, men and women. Yellow and orange were seen everywhere. People were roaming around, having snacks at the many street vendors, singing songs and just enjoying themselves.

I met up with a friend and ended up at Bangla Academy, where the Ekushey Book Fair (boi mela) takes place every year in memory of the language movement.
Luckily were able to see a live stage play there, which had incredible performances and shadow plays on the side stage.

It seemed that this year Bangladeshis might have had more of a reason to celebrate the arrival of spring, not only because the winter was cold, but it was also politically turbulent...

street vendors

eco-friendly

Hindu shrine

Gate of Bangla Academy