Two-day 39th FOBANA Conference begins in Montreal, Canada

The 39th FOBANA Conference, the largest cultural event for Bangladeshis living in North America, has begun in Montreal, Canada, with a grand opening. The conference was inaugurated by the Canada-Bangladesh Solidarity Organization at the city's busiest plaza downtown on Saturday local time. The main ceremony of the event began with the performance of the national anthems of the three countries - Bangladesh, Canada, and the United States.

Over a hundred musicians, actors, actresses, academics, and intellectuals are participating in the two-day conference. Montreal has transformed into a "mini Bangladesh" around the entire event.

The cultural arena of the conference will include dance, singing, recitation, drama, a talent show, a fashion show, a youth forum, and the Fobana scholarship award ceremony.

In addition, North American academics and researchers will participate in several seminars led by microbiologist and author Dr. Shoaib Saeed. Topics discussed include

- Canada-US trade war in the era of economic nationalism,

- Changing global politics and the future of Bangladesh,

- Technology, environment and the role of youth in diaspora.

The organizers stated that the primary objective of this event is to convey the history, traditions, and culture of Bangladesh to the new generation abroad.