Pillerkaar, Estonian Folk Dancers from the Washington DC Metro Area performed at the Bangladesh Embassy on Saturday, February 22, 2014 in Washington, DC along with performers from 12 other countries and an audience of over 300.
The Bangladesh Embassy invited Pillerkaar to be a part of a cultural show to commemorate the “Martyrs’ Day” and International Mother Language Day. The event included speeches by several keynote speakers including the Ambassador of Bangladesh followed by cultural performances from all across the globe.
The program was followed by a traditional Bangladeshi dinner. Participants representing a mosaic of cultural diversities included: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Estonia, Fiji, India, Japan, Nepal, Paraguay, Russia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, and Uganda in the true spirit of “unity in diversity”.
Background of the Martyrs Day & International Mother Language Day.
The whole world observes 21st February as International Mother Language Day as the UNESCO General Conference took a decision in 1999 to recognize the brave sons of Bangladesh who had sacrificed their lives to protect Bangla language and culture on February 21, 1952. Also in 2008, the UN General Assembly acknowledged this day in its Culture of Peace resolution.
This day represents the Bangladesh sacrifice for establishing right to their mother tongue and through that the achievement of Independence of Bangladesh in 1971. At the global level, this day represents the right of all people to their mother languages so that linguistic diversity could build a peaceful and inclusive world. Through celebration of this day Bangladesh wants to promote linguistic diversity and highlight the importance of protecting languages in every country.
The mission of the NATO Festival is to recognize and celebrate the international influence the NATO Command in Norfolk, VA, and its 28 member nations. Pillerkaar performed at the NATO Festival on April 26, 2014.
Festival events included education programs for children, cultural events to engage all citizens, and opportunities to empower industries.
Norfolk NATO Festival is the longest continuously running Festival in the Hampton Roads region, and the only one of its kind in the United States which honors the NATO Alliance and its member nations.
