International Women’s day Celebration By Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, London

As a part of Spit-Lit Festival, Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (BSK)  celebrated Brit-Bangladeshi Women’s Writing on Sunday, 5th March 2006 at Brady Arts Centre, Hanbury Street, E1 on the occasion of International Women’s Week.

Fahmida begum was the host of the day and the event included a session participated by poets Tahmina Parveen, Fowzia Shelly,  Eeshita Azad . The session was facilitated by Fully Ali. T V presenter Lisa Gazi interviwed Raihanna Mahbub, the well-known book distributor in Europe for books on and from Bangladesh.  Shaheen Westcombe MBE talked about Begum Rukeya who was the pioneer for Bengali women’s education in India. This session was supported by reading extracts from Begum Rukeya’s writings by Fahmida Begum and Samaha. Songs written on women performed by Shammee, Shima, Pinu, Luna and Sudorshon and dance by Chadni and Chumki. Khadija Rahman was the artistic director and Juned Shah was the stage manager of the show.

In the end Shamim Azad, the chair of BSK thanked Alternative Arts for providing the opportunity and celebrate Bangladeshi women’s writing  for last 3 years  as a part of Spit-Lit Festival , celebration of women’s writing in Britain. She also appreciated LBTH’s support for BSK since the organisation launched.  There was storytelling by Rabeya Ahmed and Bangladeshi food, book-fair open for the whole afternoon.

Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (BSK) is a literary organisation working with the community empowering people through literature based multicultural events. The event was supported by Alternative Arts and LBTH.

Program:

International Women's Day by Bishwo Shahitto Kendro

Brit-Bangladeshi Women's Celebration

On International Women's Day

(Supported by LBTH and Alternative Arts)

When: March 5, 2006 | Time: 2-8 pm |

Where: Venue: the Brady Arts Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street, London E1 6HU, (Tube: White Chapel/ Aldgate East)

Programme:

2-5 pm: Book Fair and Storytelling for children

A wide selection of Bangla-English books will be available to buy. Coffee, tea and snacks will be available by the side of storytelling mat. Rabeya Khan, an experienced primary school teacher and a Bi-Lingual (English-Bangla) storyteller will tell Bangla stories using props.

6 - 8pm: Brit-Bangladeshi Women's Writing.
BSK will feature emerging Brit-Bangladeshi poets, a successful business woman in publication- Raihana Mahbub, an talk and interactive discussion on Begum Rokeya by Shaheen
Westcombe MBE, and songs written on women.

As always the audience will be encouraged to participate actively in debates. BSK is keen to reach women from different professions, communities and backgrounds. In order to make the programme informative as well as entertaining, the event accommodates poetry recitals and musical performances. BSK would look forward to see you on the day.

Contact Information:
Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (World Literature Centre)
Working for building Enlightened Communities
Chairperson : Shamim Azad
Tel: 07984 427 989
The Brady Arts & Community Centre
192 - 196 Hanbury Street, London E1 5HU
Web: www.bskl.co.uk