Lisbon, 28 March 2022
Bangladesh Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal celebrated the 51st Anniversary of Independence and National Day of Bangladesh with due dignity and festivity. On this occasion, the Embassy hosted a reception in the evening today (28 March 2022) at a prestigious five-star hotel (Hotel Miragem Cascais).
A photographic exhibition on ‘Beautiful Bangladesh’ comprising an array of framed pictures of natural beauty, architectural heritage and socio-economic development of Bangladesh was set up in the atrium along the red carpet that led to the door of the reception hall. The reception hall was decorated with an impressive arrangement flowers and colourful banner in the backdrop. In the line of presentation at the door of the reception hall, Bangladesh Ambassador to Portugal Tarik Ahsan, his lady wife and diplomatic officers of the Embassy with their spouses welcomed the guests.
The reception was attended, among others, by Ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions, high officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local government, members of civil society, business community, cultural community, media, friends of Bangladesh, leaders & members of Bangladesh community, officers and officials of Bangladesh Embassy along with their spouses.
The official part of the ceremony began with playing of national anthems of Bangladesh and Portugal in sequence. In his welcome speech, Ambassador Tarik Ahsan, offered profound homage to the memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and recalled with gratitude the sacrifice of martyrs, valiant freedom fighters and women who suffered horrific abuses during the War of Liberation. He stated that this year’s independence day bore a special significance because Bangladesh was completing the year of celebration of Golden Jubilee of Independence. He remarked that, pursuing the Liberation War values of equality, human dignity and social justice over the years, Bangladesh made impressive strides in people-centric development. He mentioned that a high growth trajectory overseen by Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over a decade now transformed Bangladesh into the 42nd largest economy in the world. He added that, on the international front, Bangladesh emerged as a voice of moderation; and an advocate of climate action, cultural of peace, rights to mother language, rights of differently-abled persons and so on. He continued that, being a top contributor of personnel to UN peace keeping operations and showing the unparalleled humanity of giving shelter to over a million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar, Bangladesh has been profusely acclaimed world-wide. He commented that the achievements of Bangladesh make celebration of independence truly meaningful.
A cultural segment of colourful dance performances was an added attraction that followed the official part of the ceremony. Spirited dances performed to the tune of iconic patriotic Bengali songs that used to be broadcast from Independent Bangla Radio Station during the War of Liberation enthralled the guests.
After the cultural segment, the guests were entertained with a buffet dinner. The menu consisted of a selection of many Bangladeshi items. The guests were delighted to taste the food, particularly the Bangladeshi desserts. Instrumental version of patriotic songs of Bangladesh were being played during the dinner.
The physical holding of the National Day Reception after a gap of two years (due to pandemic) was deeply appreciated by the guests. The reception venue endowed with a magnificent view of Atlantic Ocean created an excellent ambience that offered a quality time for the guests to engage in pleasant mingling. The whole arrangement projected a very positive image of Bangladesh before the elite of this European Capital.
Earlier, on 26 March 2022, Ambassador Tarik Ahsan ceremonially hoisted the national flag of Bangladesh in the premises of the Chancery of the Embassy in presence of all officers and officials.
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