Pohela Falgun, Valentine's Day being observed

Winter’s chill has faded, making way for the vibrant embrace of spring. The silence has been broken, and nature is alive with festivity. The starkness of winter has disappeared, replaced by fresh green leaves sprouting on trees. Mango blossoms have unfurled, spreading their sweet fragrance through the air. Everywhere, the spirit of renewal resonates, filling nature with unbounded joy.

It is not just nature—this touch of newness is felt in human hearts as well. With the arrival of the king of seasons, spring, hearts become more enchanted, more alive.

Today is the first day of Falgun, the beginning of spring. It is also Valentine’s Day. To celebrate the occasion, various events and programs have been arranged in the cultural sphere. Traditional fairs, circuses, and other festivities will welcome both spring and love.

In Bangladesh, spring is known as the "King of Seasons," as it is considered the most glorious of all seasons. It consists of the Bengali months of Falgun and Chaitra, marking the last season of the Bengali calendar. To welcome spring, the National Spring Festival Celebration Committee has made preparations for events at various venues, including the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University, the open stage in Sector 3 of Uttara, and Bahadur Shah Park in Old Dhaka.

In recent years, Valentine's Day has added a new dimension to the joyous spring breeze. Since the reform of the Bengali calendar to align with the Gregorian calendar, the Bengali spring and the Western "Valentine’s Day" have coincided.

With the warmth of spring in their hearts, many will step outside today, eager to embrace love. They will wish to touch the horizon of affection with their loved ones, spending a special day together. The younger generation, in particular, will seize the opportunity to express heartfelt words to their beloved.

Many will spend the day wandering outside with bouquets of roses, dining out, and cherishing moments together. For some, love’s first bud may shyly open its eyes in the light of this spring morning.

Flowers are the most cherished gift on this day. In fact, the highest flower sales in the country happen during this spring and Valentine’s Day celebration. As always, Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts will be the focal point of the festivities in the capital. The festival will come alive with music, dance, and the color of spring. Organized by the National Spring Festival Celebration Committee, the event began at 7:15 am, opening with an ensemble of musical performances by Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay.

Along with the country’s leading music and dance groups, there were also performances by children, teenagers, and indigenous communities.

In the afternoon, there will be a session called Basantakathan (Spring Talks). The festival will also include a segment for exchanging greetings and colors. The session will be chaired by the council’s president, architect Shafiuddin Ahmed. Vice president Kajol Debnath, general secretary Manzar Chowdhury Sweet, and other cultural figures will deliver speeches.

At noon, the event will conclude with songs about nature, poetry, and traditional dances. While in previous years the celebration continued until 9 PM, this time it will be a shorter event due to the observance of Shab-e-Barat.

However, from the morning, the colors of the Fagun (spring) festival spread from the Faculty of Fine Arts across the entire university area and into the city. Many people dressed in spring-themed outfits, with women wearing yellow sarees and flower crowns.

As in previous years, the Basanta Utsab (Spring Festival) Celebration Committee has arranged events at Bahadur Shah Park in Old Dhaka and the field near the lake in Uttara’s Diabari. Unlike previous years, when celebrations continued into the evening, this year’s events in these locations will conclude in the morning.

Every year, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy organizes the Spring Festival. However, this time, there will be no Pohela Falgun celebrations, as confirmed by the academy’s director general, Professor Syed Jamil Ahmed.

He stated that various festivals and programs are being held across the country, but this year, the academy has not arranged a separate event specifically for Pohela Falgun.