BADA (Bangladeshi Artist Development Agency) is thrilled to invite you to a spectacular celebration of Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year! This lively event will take place on Sunday, 13th April 2025, from 12pm to 4pm at Soho House Museum in Birmingham. Expect a full day of festivities featuring live music from members of The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), interactive workshops, cultural singers/dancers, market stalls, and a spirited street procession that brings the community together in celebration.
This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the rich traditions of Bengali art, music, and heritage. Guests can enjoy a fusion of classic and contemporary performances, embracing the festive atmosphere alongside local artists, performers, and community partners.
Aftab Rahman, CEO of Legacy WM and founder of BADA, shares his excitement:
“We are delighted to be hosting our first ever Pohela Boishakh and the fact that it is being led by Faim Islam, who was the lead in Dhaka, gives us great confidence. He is keeping to script and has all the Legacy WM staff and volunteers busy preparing colourful motifs in preparation for the event. This is a lovely way to learn about Bangladeshi heritage and its unique art. We are looking forward to welcoming families to this lovely event which will have a procession through Soho Road, a cultural programme and a host of traditional Bangladeshi snacks on sale, this will be a great way to celebrate. We hope that you can join us!”
Faim Islam, BADA Artist says
: “This year, BADA is dedicating the celebration to women’s freedom. As Napoleon once said, ‘Give me an educated mother, and I shall promise you the birth of a civilized, educated nation.’ In this spirit, we are crafting hundreds of colourful tiger masks, owl masks, and flying birds — symbols of strength, wisdom, and freedom. Traditional Pansi boats will also feature in our vibrant street procession. Additionally, we are curating an art exhibition showcasing the works of 21 local and Bangladeshi artists, alongside a spectacular folk music and dance performance featuring nearly 20 artists. Through this celebration, we hope to honour our heritage, uplift our community, and inspire future generations.”
For tickets and event schedule please visit Eventbrite or the BADA hub page.
For further information please contact Aftab Rahman (CEO), Junna Begum (BADA Strategic Manager & Artistic Director for Bangla Week) and Sandhya Nandra (Marketing Communications Officer) at the following:
T: (0121) 348 8159 / 8158 | M: 07861310802 | aftab@legacy-wm.org
T: (0121) 348 8159 / 8158 | M: 07960874387 | junna@legacy-wm.org
T: (0121) 348 8079 | M: 07825371348 | sandhya@legacy-wm.org
Images are available to download from here and our website:
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Notes to Editors:
BADA | www.legacy-wm.org/arts/bada
BADA (Bangladeshi Artist Development Agency) was launched in November 2023 at the Birmingham Rep. BADA aims to establish Birmingham and the West Midlands as a centre of excellence for Bangladeshi arts, practice, and development.
Legacy WM | www.legacy-wm.org
Legacy WM is a charity based in Birmingham, founded in 2010 to celebrate our local heritage and diverse communities. We deliver sports, arts, heritage and youth programmes for the benefit of the whole community, including marginalised and underrepresented groups. As winners of a 2023 Kings Award for Voluntary Service and 2021 Weston Charity Award, we take pride in achieving excellence in service delivery and maximising positive impact across our programmes.
CBSO | www.cbso.co.uk
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) is an internationally celebrated orchestra, with a legacy of over 100 years. Resident at Symphony Hall, the CBSO performs over 150 concerts annually in Birmingham, the UK, and around the world.
