Marking International Dance Day 2018, a weeklong (April 23-29) colourful programme sets off today at 5:30pm at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) premises. Jointly organised by Bangladesh Nritya Shilpi Sangstha (BNSS) and BSA, noted dance Guru Laila Hasan will inaugurate the dance festival and fair.

The fair will start at 3pm everyday from April 24 to April 28. Artistes of different dance schools will perform dances at the venue from 6pm to 9:30pm.

The programmes to mark International Dance Day will start at 8am on April 29 at Music, Dance and Recitation Building of BSA with the presentation of Mangal Nritya. A colourful rally will parade several streets of the capital and end at BSA. A seminar titled “Agami Projonmer Nritya Bhabna” will be held at the Seminar Room of National Theatre Hall at 11am on the day.

A grand celebration programme will take place at Nandan Mancha of BSA at 6:30pm the same day. Veteran cultural personality and journalist Kamal Lohani will be present as chief guest while Nasiruddin Yousuff, president, ITI, Bangladesh and Golam Kuddus, president, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, will attend the programme as special guests. The organisers will honour noted dance artiste Selina Haque with Nrityagurumata Rahijha Khanam Jhunu Memorial Award at the event. Colourful dance presentation by solo artistes and troupes will follow in the evening.