The national academy of the Bangla language, in Burdwan House — and host of the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela every February.
Bangla Academy was founded on 3 December 1955 in Burdwan House, and its roots run straight back to the language movement. The United Front's 21-point manifesto for the 1954 election promised an institute for the research and promotion of the Bangla language and literature; the Academy was that promise kept.
It is the country's language authority. It publishes the standard grammar and dictionaries, histories of Bangla literature, collected works and translations, and gives the Bangla Academy Literary Award.
For most visitors, though, the Academy is a place to go in February. It organises the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela, the country's largest book fair, which fills its grounds and spills across the road into Suhrawardy Udyan for the whole month. It also marks Pohela Boishakh, holds a Victory Day fair in December, and runs talks and readings through the year.
Cultural Gathering
Recommended
The national academy of the arts at Segunbagicha: the National Theatre, the National Art Gallery, and most of Dhaka's group-theatre nights.
Segunbagicha, Dhaka
Performances & exhibitions: Most days — see the Academy's notices
Ticket prices are set by each production
Details
Cultural Gathering
The music institution behind the Pohela Boishakh dawn concert at Ramna Batamul, with its own auditorium and school in Dhanmondi.
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Entry to many programmes is by audience pass, applied for and downloaded on Chhayanaut's website. The hours shown are the reception desk's; programmes can run later.
Details
Cultural Gathering
Bengal Foundation's arts centre in Dhanmondi: exhibitions, music recitals, talks and screenings — free and open to all.
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Exhibitions & events: Times vary by programme — see the foundation's listings
Free entry
Details