Grand Celebration of Bengali New Year 1433 by Bangla Art Centre Victoria (BACV)

Melbourne, Sunday 26 April: The Bengali New Year 1433 was celebrated with great festivity in Dandenong, Victoria, bringing together the spirit of Bangladeshi culture in the heart of multicultural Australia. The day-long event, held at Gloria Pyke Netball Complex, was jointly organised by Bangla Art Centre Victoria and the Bengali Puja and Cultural Society of Victoria.

Running from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, the event transformed into a lively gathering of the Bengali community, attracting thousands of attendees from across Victoria, including people from diverse cultural backgrounds. The celebration highlighted the richness of Bengali heritage through music, dance, cultural performances, and traditional experiences.

Distinguished guests add prestige to the vibrant community festival. Image: OTN Bangla

Among the distinguished guests, Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs and Member for Bruce, Julian Hill MP, praised the Bangladeshi community, stating, “I know many Bangladeshis who are highly educated, with PhDs and master’s degrees. They are making remarkable contributions to Australia’s economy, education, research, and culture.”

Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Public and Active Transport, and Member for Dandenong, Gabrielle Williams MP, emphasised the importance of inclusion, saying, “The Albanese Government’s multicultural policy is enriched by the active participation of the Bangladeshi community. I am confident this support will continue in the future.”

Member for Mulgrave, Eden Foster MP, shared a personal reflection: “My mother was also a migrant, and I take pride in diversity. Even though I cannot speak Bangla, I deeply respect Bengali culture and heritage. Being here feels like being at home.”

Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong, Cr Sophie Tan, extended New Year wishes, saying, “We are fortunate to live in such a multicultural society. I wish everyone a Happy Bengali New Year.” Her greeting in Bangla was warmly received with applause from the audience.

One of the key organisers, Kumar Ratul Saha, Public Relations Executive of Bangla Art Centre Victoria and the Bengali Puja and Cultural Society of Victoria, noted, “Borshoboron Utsav 1433 is a testament to our community’s growing contribution and influence—and to the social cohesion we build when we come together. We are honoured to welcome some distinguished guests across government and local political leadership who share our commitment to inclusion.”

The festival featured a wide range of attractions, including traditional food stalls, sarees, jewellery, toys, and handcrafted items, creating the atmosphere of a traditional Bangladeshi village fair. Visitors explored the stalls and enjoyed authentic cultural experiences that reflected the essence of Bangladesh.

Warm interactions between guests, organisers and attendees. Image: OTN Bangla

Speaking to OTN Bangla, many attendees expressed that the event felt like “a piece of Bangladesh” in Australia. The event successfully recreated the charm of rural Bangladeshi fairs, making it a memorable experience for all.

Overall, the initiative by Bangla Art Centre Victoria was widely appreciated as a successful effort to promote Bengali culture and strengthen community ties in Australia.