Flash mobs will be performed and thematic art installations and kiosks are being set up in different parts of the capital from 24 January (Tuesday) to set the tone of the celebration of “BRAC Hope Festival 2023” scheduled for 9 - 11 February (Thursday - Saturday).
The first of the three flash mobs will take place at BRAC University on 24 January (Tuesday) at 12 noon. The rest two will take place on the North South University campus on 26 January (Thursday) at 12 noon and at the Aarong flagship store in Tejgaon on 3 February (Friday) at 5 pm.
All the three flash mobs have been composed and choreographed following the theme song BRAC has launched marking BRAC’s 50 years of igniting hope. The theme song, performed by renowned artists from Bangladesh, illustrates BRAC’s 50 years of partnership with over 100 million of people living with inequality and poverty to create opportunities to realise human potential. The song is available on Youtube at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Sih7Og4-30
Kiosks to open from 24 January
Registration kiosks will be put up in different hotspots of the city, where besides registering, people can submit their ideas on tackling social issues (including Education, Financial Empowerment, Gender Equality, Climate Change, and Mental health). Shortlisted ideators will be allowed to share their ideas and connect with other changemakers.
Art Installation from 25 January
As a part of the festival, thematic artworks will be installed in different public spots of the capital. These installations will depict the vision, mission and five decades of journey of BRAC.
Asif Saleh, executive director, BRAC, said, “We believe that social change can’t be brought without partnerships. We have to come forward with new and innovative solutions to deal with these challenges. Building on the potential of the youth, we need to work together to meet the challenges of the future. Through this festival, we aim to get everyone on board today to solve the social challenges of tomorrow.”
BRAC Hope Festival aims at igniting hope and inspiration among the young generation of Bangladesh. With this spirit each of the day is designed with programmes and performances with a particular theme: “A tribute to Bangladesh”, “Power of potential”, and “Building a world we want” will be the themes for the first, second, and third day respectively. Education, economic empowerment, gender equality, climate change, and mental health are the key focus areas of all the programmes, sessions, and performances in this festival.
Hope Festival will open with the national anthem at 5pm on 9 February with the theme “A tribute to Bangladesh”. It will be followed by a documentary on the life of BRAC founder Sir Fazle Hasan Abed. BRAC executive director will give the welcome speech after which the main programme segments will begin. Among a series of performances there will be “puthipath” by noted actor Fazlur Rahman Babu and team, and raga performance by Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay. A documentary will be screened to pay tribute to the role of women in the War of Liberation in 1971. Theatre group Pracchyanat will present a drama rendition “Protidiner Joddha”, based on the life of Dr Afsana Akter, who overcame all the hurdles of life to become a renowned and successful gynaecologist, who will be present on the stage to share her story with the audience. Among other cultural performances, “Lalon and Friends” will also perform.
“Power of Potential”, theme of the second day of Hope Festival will celebrate the tenacity of spirit of people to overcome the most difficult adversities of life. All the events and performances on this day will tell the stories of those individuals and communities who came out victorious defeating all barriers. Tamara Hasan Abed, managing director, BRAC Enterprises, will speak at the main session on this day. Among many other programmes, Ahsan Habib and team will present a performance based on sign language. Special sessions will be organised to highlight “Shomotontro”, a system that will champion gender equality. A dance-drama by Jatrik, fashion show by Aarong, and a concert at which bands Renaissance, Feedback, Emon Chowdhury and Friends, Miftah Zaman and Girl Power Band will perform, will be part of the events on the second day.
Two award ceremonies are important part of the third and final day of Hope Festival that centres around “Building a world we want” theme. Amra Notun Changemakers Award will felicitate a group of young changemakers, and TAAGA Outstanding Young Professionals Award will be given out to young female professionals under the age of 35 working in corporations and enterprises in Bangladesh. Cultural performances on this day will include Nagar Baul (James), BRAC University Students Choir, Artcell, Nemesis, Sounds of Change by Masha Islam, and Chandana Majumdar.
All the three days of Hope Festival will be full of workshops and sessions on art, culture, environment, learning and many other issues. To name some of them are an art workshop by Morshed Mishu, one on rickshaw painting, learning sessions with environment activists, open workshops with changemakers, and special sessions on mental health. BRAC Institute of Educational Development (BIED) will also set up a “Play lab”, its model creating learning environment through play. All the three days of Hope Festival will thus be full of festivities, joy and learning opportunities igniting ideas and creating food for thought. More information will be available on the BRAC social media.
Accessibility facilities will be set up on the festival ground for persons with disabilities to fully participate and enjoy the festival.
The ecosystem of BRAC brand will be presented through a series of installations and programmes, which will demonstrate the multifaceted social development programmes, social enterprises, university, and investments operated under its umbrella.
Bkash, BRAC Bank, IPDC Finance, and BRAC University are the proud partners of the Hope Festival.
