Ambassador Delwar Hosain of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Seoul hosted a meeting of “Glorious Language Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day-2022” at the UNESCO Hall in Myeong-dong, Seoul on Feb. 21, 2022 with the participation of many celebrities from the international community in Seoul as well as from the local community.
On this occasion, the Embassy in partnership with the Korean National Commission for UNESCO (KNCU) organized a program at KNCU premises in Seoul. Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea and from the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, Ambassadors of Mexico, India, Rwanda, Switzerland, Bulgaria and the Dominican Republic and diplomats from other missions, members of the civil society, academia, members of the social and cultural organizations and the representatives of the leading print and electric media of the Republic of Korea were present at the program.
During the event, Ambassador Delwar Hossain delivered opening remarks while the Assistant Secretary General of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO delivered welcome remarks.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Delwar Hossain paid profound tribute to the language martyrs. He also recalled with deep reverence the greatest Bengali of all times, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who played a leadership role during the Language Movement in 1952 and subsequently steered the nation to independence. He further highlighted the background and significance of the International Mother Language Day and the initiatives taken by the present Bangladesh government to protect and promote mother languages as well as unique culture and tradition of minor ethnic communities in the country.
Deputy Director General of the Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea delivered commemorative remarks on behalf of the Korean Foreign Ministry. The message of the Director General of UNESCO was also read out during the program. The envoys of Mexico, India, Rwanda, and Switzerland delivered keynote speeches highlighting the initiatives of their respective governments in the promotion and protection of the mother languages.
The keynote speech session was followed by a colorful cultural program where the performers from Bangladesh, India, Colombia, and Sri Lanka mesmerized the audience portraying their respective countries’ rich culture.
In the morning, Ambassador Delwar Hossain put the national flag in half-mast at the Embassy premises with the presence of Embassy officials and the expatriate Bangladeshis. A one-minute silence was observed to honor the language martyrs followed by offering of special prayer for the salvation of the departed souls of language martyrs and for the continued peace and prosperity of the country. Following this, the Embassy officers read out the messages of the Hon’ble President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Foreign Minister and Hon’ble State Minister for Foreign Affairs. Then, a documentary on the Glorious Language Martyrs Day and the International Mother Language Day was screened. Discussions were held on the historic background and significance of the Day.
Earlier, at the first hour of the day, Ambassador Delwar Hossain paid homage to the Language Martyrs by placing floral wreaths at Shaheed Minar established at the Multicultural Park in Ansan city.
