Describing national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam as a poet of harmony and human solidarity, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Sunday said the poet could serve as a powerful cultural ambassador whose works convey messages of humanity and harmony across borders.

Speaking at a seminar, she said the present government attaches great importance to cultural diplomacy as a key instrument of soft power to strengthen Bangladesh’s international partnerships, promote people-to-people exchanges and enhance the country’s global standing.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, hosted the seminar titled “Kazi Nazrul Islam: The Universal Voice of Freedom and Humanity” at the Foreign Service Academy to commemorate the life and enduring legacy of Bangladesh’s national poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam and to highlight his potential as a global cultural ambassador for Bangladesh.

A cultural programme featuring performances inspired by Nazrul’s rich artistic legacy followed the seminar.

The event brought together diplomatic corps, academics, researchers, artists, writers and senior government officers to reflect on the unwavering legacy of the national poet of Bangladesh and the universal relevance of his literary and musical contributions.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury attended the event as the chief guest, while State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom was among the special guests.

They shared their perspectives on the significance of Nazrul’s legacy and its relevance to contemporary Bangladesh.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and Rector of the Foreign Service Academy Ambassador Nahida Sobhan, among others, spoke at the seminar.

Vice-Chancellor of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University Professor Dr Mohammad Musharof Hossain presented the keynote address while eminent poet and former Executive Director of the Nazrul Institute Abdul Hye Sikder joined as discussant at the seminar.

Shama Obaed said culture is increasingly being viewed as a strategic tool for promoting Bangladesh’s heritage, values and identity on the global stage, particularly at a time when conflicts, geopolitical competition and pressure on multilateral frameworks are challenging international cooperation.

“We are celebrating at a time when multilateral frameworks are under pressure. Conflicts continue in different parts of the world. Strategic competition is intensifying. In such an environment, diplomacy cannot depend only on dialogues, negotiations or traditional instruments. The world needs the power of culture,” she said.

Shama said a common platform is needed to bring people closer, adding that cultural diplomacy is becoming increasingly important because it fostered a sense of shared ownership of universal values.

Through creative collaboration and partnerships, Bangladesh seeks to showcase its rich cultural traditions while building goodwill, trust and lasting relationships with the international community, she said.

Highlighting the life and works of Kazi Nazrul Islam, Shama said the poet’s literary and musical legacy offered a powerful example of how cultural expression could transcend geographical boundaries, connect societies and contribute to mutual understanding among nations.

She said Nazrul’s philosophy and creative works remained relevant to Bangladesh’s identity and its efforts to promote peace, tolerance and international understanding.

The State Minister said the significance of Nazrul extended far beyond commemoration, offering an opportunity to introduce his life, literary contributions and universal message to a wider international audience.

She said his creative legacy demonstrated the ability of art and literature to connect people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

The State Minister said Nazrul’s non-communal philosophy  contributed significantly to shaping the identity of the Bengali nation, which values tolerance, respect for diversity and peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths.

She said these values are deeply embedded in Bangladesh’s social and cultural traditions and are also reflected in the Constitution, which guarantees the peaceful coexistence of different religious communities.

Shama said promoting Nazrul internationally would help present Bangladesh as a country that is culturally diverse, intellectually confident and committed to global peace and development.

She expressed hope that greater international engagement with the poet’s works would deepen global appreciation of his philosophy and create new opportunities for cultural exchanges and cooperation.

The State Minister placed particular emphasis on Nazrul’s music, describing it as one of the most enduring aspects of his legacy.

She said his compositions possessed an enduring and universal appeal, demonstrating how musical traditions from different parts of the world could be brought together to create new forms of artistic expression.

His use of lyrics, rhythm, imagery and emotional expression enabled him to blend different traditions while retaining the distinctive character of his own artistic voice, she said.

Shama said his music demonstrated that cultural exchange need not diminish a society’s identity; rather, it could enrich its traditions and create new forms of shared artistic expression.

She referred to initiatives taken by successive governments led by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia to honour the poet and preserve his contributions to the country’s cultural heritage.

The recognition of Nazrul’s work through national honours and institutional initiatives, she said, reflected the importance Bangladesh attaches to his literary and musical contributions.

The State Minister said the year-long national observance of Nazrul Year offered an important opportunity not only to celebrate the poet in Bangladesh but also to introduce his literary works, music and universal philosophy to a wider international audience.

The seminar provided an opportunity to revisit Nazrul’s contribution to Bangladesh’s cultural heritage and national identity, while exploring avenues to share his universal humanist vision with the international community.

It also underscored the role of cultural diplomacy in strengthening mutual understanding, fostering people-to-people connections and enhancing Bangladesh’s cultural presence on the global stage.

As Bangladesh is celebrating Nazrul Year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through this initiative, reaffirmed the importance of promoting Bangladesh’s literary and cultural heritage internationally and sharing the enduring values of freedom, humanity and inclusiveness that define the legacy of Kazi Nazrul Islam.