Resort to celebrate Bengali New Year

Blackpool residents are being invited to join celebrations this weekend to mark the Bangladesh New Year.
A parade to celebrate the first day of the Bangla New Year  in Dhaka, BangladeshA parade to celebrate the first day of the Bangla New Year  in Dhaka, Bangladesh
A parade to celebrate the first day of the Bangla New Year in Dhaka, Bangladesh

For the first time the resort’s Bangladeshi community is holding a festival which is open to all members of the public.

It takes place on Sunday between 11am and 3pm at the Solaris on South Promenade.

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A range of traditional food including Panta Vatt, Hilsha Fish and chicken and lamb curries will be available for people to try.

There will also be entertainment including live Bengali music and traditional sports.

Organiser Rafi Shihab, of the Lee Raj restaurant on Squires Gate Lane, said; “Bengali New Year, also called Pohela Boishakh, is the traditional New Year’s Day of the Bengali people.

“This year it fell on April 14 as a national holiday in Bangladesh.

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“However we are celebrating on April 23 due to it being Easter holidays in England, work load and availability of the venue.

“This is the first publicly open event of the Bangladeshi New Year programme held in Blackpool. However a few people may have celebrated at home or with a private event in the past.

“This programme is open to everyone. People are welcome to participate with us.”

The festival date is set according to the lunisolar Bengali calendar and almost always falls on or about April 14 every year.

It is celebrated with processions, fairs and family time.

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