Photo: Collected
‘Chattogram Festival UK 2026’ was held as a day-long event at Mayfair Hall in Romford, United Kingdom, on Sunday, 1 November 2026. It was the first time such a festival had been organized on London soil. Its aim was to showcase Chattogram’s history, heritage, culture and trade on the international stage, and to strengthen unity, harmony and mutual cooperation among Chattogram people living abroad.
Four honorable Members of Parliament from Chattogram took part in the festival, along with prominent figures from politics, society, culture, business and various professions. The venue was abuzz with a large number of expatriates Chattogram people who came from different cities across the UK. The formal proceedings began with a recitation from the Holy Quran. The main programme was jointly hosted by Sujan Barua, Mohammad Ali Reza and Mohammad Masudur Rahman, while Mrs Rina Das, Nurunnabi Ali and Shahana Malek conducted various segments of the event.
Attending as honored guests were Alhaj Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury, MP for Chattogram-6 (Raozan); Mohammad Abu Sufian, MP for Chattogram-9; Enamul Haque Enam, MP for Chattogram-12 (Patiya); and Sarwar Alamgir, MP for Chattogram-2 (Fatikchhari). Councilor Morshedur Rahman Talukder was present on behalf of the Honorable High Commissioner.
Distinguished individuals from various walks of life were also present, including iON TV Chief Executive Ataullah Faruk; Chattogram Press Club Vice-President and ATN Bangla Deputy In-charge Md. Monjur Kader; US-based businessman Mohammad Alamgir; Barrister Monowar Hossain; Professor Nazim Uddin; Councilor Firoz Gani; Shawkat Mahmud Tipu; Md. Nazim Uddin; MD Khan Junaid; former Mayor and Councilor of Camden Council Nasim Ali OBE; Mrs Lina Chowdhury; Dr Shahid Chowdhury; Jagir Alam Chowdhury; Arshad Malek; Anupam Shah; Mohammad Kaiser; Suhel Islam; Giasuddin; Helen Islam; Mira Barua; Hasan Anwar; Raihan Uddin Chowdhury Titu; Omar Bappi and Nabil Rahman.
Several distinguished individuals were honored at the festival in recognition of their contributions in various fields. They are philanthropist and eminent industrialist Alhaj Sufi Mizanur Rahman; educationist Professor Nurul Nabi; eminent industrialist Mirza Salman Ispahani; Dabirul Islam Foundation Chairman and community figure Atiq Chowdhury; community figure Kazi Abul Hossain Babul; popular singer Rabi Chowdhury; prominent UK industrialist Mohammad Alamgir; and community figure Wajid Hasan Selim BEM.
There was also a special honor for elders living in the UK. In recognition of their long experience and contribution to the community, awards were presented to Mohammad Hossain, Mohammad Alamgir, Kamrun Nahar Begum, Kafil Uddin, Jagir Alam Chowdhury, Gulnahar Khan, Uday Shankar Das, Yusuf Mia, Sanjukta Barua and Lily Barua.
The cultural segment began after the award ceremony. Popular Bangladeshi singer and illustrious son of Chattogram Rabi Chowdhury performed, drawing an enthusiastic response from the audience. Throughout the day, local artists and poets from Chattogram sang songs and recited poetry. The programme also featured dance, mime, band music and an attractive fashion show, along with Chattogram’s traditional boli khela (wrestling). The fashion show, directed by Emi, a young woman from Chattogram, caught everyone’s attention.
On behalf of the initiators and organizers, Mohammad Ali Reza, Md. Masudur Rahman and Sujan Barua said the Chattogram Festival is not the event of any single organization, but a collective effort of expatriate Chattogram people. Sixteen Chattogram-based social organizations played a supporting role in this joint initiative.
The main objectives of the event are to present Chattogram’s history, heritage and culture to the new generation, to increase communication among various social and cultural organizations, and to open up opportunities for mutual cooperation among expatriate businesspeople, entrepreneurs and professionals.
Speaking about future plans, Sujan Barua, Mohammad Ali Reza and Masudur Rahman, on behalf of the organizers, said there are plans to hold the festival on a larger scale and at an open venue. Upcoming editions will place greater emphasis on Chattogram’s traditional mezban, boli khela, regional cuisine, folk culture and music.
At the very end of the programme, the Chattogram Festival 2026 Committee expressed thanks and gratitude to the guests, leaders of the various partner organizations, journalists, sponsors, volunteers and community members who helped make the festival a success.
