A Celebration of Creative Arts in Birmingham
BADA (Bangladeshi Artist Development Agency) is thrilled to announce Bangla Week 2024, an arts and cultural festival celebrating the creativity and diversity of Bangla heritage artists in Birmingham and the West Midlands. This vibrant week of events will spotlight the artistic talents that enrich our region.
Mark Your Calendars!
Bangla Week kicks off on 9th November at Soho House Museum with a lively Family Arts Day. This opening event will feature emerging local artists and musicians, offering a wide range of arts and craft activities for all ages – an inspiring start to a week-long cultural celebration!
Aftab Rahman, CEO of Legacy WM and founder of BADA, shares his excitement:
"We are delighted to build on the launch of BADA in 2023 and to secure Arts Council funding to take this initiative forward. Bangla Week 2024 will launch in November with four high-profile arts organisations. The event will support and profile Bangladeshi artists in the region, and we hope it might be the catalyst for a nationwide Bangla Week UK to take place next year."
Where’s it all happening?
Bangla Week will feature performances and exhibitions at Birmingham’s most iconic cultural venues, including Birmingham Hippodrome, Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Rachael Thomas, Chief Executive of Birmingham Rep, Co-Chair of BADA and Trustee of Legacy WM, adds:
"I am overjoyed by the progress BADA has made since its launch last year at the Birmingham Rep. Thanks to the Inclusive Communities Grant, BADA is presenting Bangla Week this autumn in Birmingham. This is the first step towards BADA's vision to reimagine Birmingham's cultural sphere by creating a festival led by Bangla heritage artists and creatives for all communities to enjoy. I'm really excited to see our home grown talent animate our unique cultural buildings and spaces across the city"
Don’t Miss This Musical Collaboration!
British Bengali musician Tara Lily will join forces with members of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) at the renowned Bradshaw Hall. Our host for the evening is presenter and comedian Smash Bengali, promising a night of entertainment with his brilliant sense of humour and flair. This special concert promises to be a unique fusion of brilliant musical minds and a testament to the power of cultural collaboration.
Adding to the excitement, Fateha Begum, a British Sylheti Bangladeshi theatre director, will present a youth theatre
production featuring 18 young talents from Northeast Birmingham. This piece delves into migration stories connecting global diaspora communities within the heart of Birmingham. The youth theatre production will officially open Bangla Week on 16th November at Birmingham Hippodrome.
Fateha Begum, Theatre Project Director for Saathi House, says:
"The performance brings together young people of all backgrounds to share stories, connect with each other, and work with theatre professionals. This is the culmination of hard work over five months. For some, it will be their first time performing or even watching a show at Birmingham Hippodrome."
More to Explore at the MAC!
Dive into a powerful poetry experience featuring talented performers from across Birmingham and the West Midlands. Emerging poets Maya and Zara will share their stories of identity and belonging through spoken word and verse, with open mic slots available for anyone eager to explore their poetic side.
Deborah Kermode, Chief Executive & Artistic Director of MAC, says:
"MAC is delighted to partner with BADA on this autumn’s Bangla Week, to showcase the talented work of spoken word artists whose incredible performances we know will inspire audiences to celebrate and be inspired by the extraordinary breadth of Bangladeshi culture."
For ticket reservations and event schedule please visit: www.legacy-wm.org/arts/bada
