United News of Bangladesh

China is celebrating International Workers' Day, popularly known as May Day, with nationwide celebrations, cultural events, and a major surge in domestic travel. The five-day public holiday, starting from May 1, saw millions of citizens travelling to scenic spots, historical sites, and urban centres across the country. Marking this day, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, extended his greetings to workers, farmers, intellectuals and other working people from all ethnic groups, as well as to trade unions and their staff at all levels. Xi also expressed earnest expectations for the Chinese working class and the broad masses of workers as they forge ahead on a new journey and contribute to the new era. Dream of New Bangladesh not possible without better conditions for workers: Prof Yunus In this new era, Chinese workers, through their spirit of hard work, struggle, innovation and breakthrough, have not only laid a solid foundation for China's development and advancement, but also contributed Chinese wisdom and strength to the world. Meanwhile, China's railway network is expected to handle approximately 144 million passenger trips during the May Day holiday travel rush, the national railway operator said. Tourist hotspots like Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Xi’an witnessed high foot traffic, with hotels and restaurants operating at full capacity. In Beijing, workers and families gathered at Tiananmen Square for a flag-raising ceremony and cultural performances honouring the spirit of labour. Local governments organised parades, exhibitions, and award ceremonies to recognise outstanding contributions by workers in various sectors.

Several renowned cultural organisations hosted various events across the country to celebrate the 52nd Victory Day of Bangladesh with festivities. Organisations and institutions, namely Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Chhayanaut, Liberation War Museum (LWM), Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi and others hosted cultural shows and discussions at different venues on Friday and Saturday. The festivities in the city began with a three-day ‘Bijoymela’ organised by Bangla Academy on December 15 at its Nazrul Mancha. State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid inaugurated the event, which was comprised of a seminar on December 15 at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium. Bangla Academy staff alongside its Director General poet Nurul Huda placed floral wreaths at the National Martyrs Memorial on Victory Day, and the ‘Bijoymela’ was concluded on Saturday. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) staff and artistes also placed floral wreaths at the National Martyrs’ Memorial and organised several cultural events throughout Friday. The cultural shows comprised patriotic songs, recitations, dance and a special performance segment with child artists at the Nandan Mancha on the BSA, featuring child artistes from Sporsho Braille, and a dance recital by differently abled children’s troupe Karishma Cultural Group. Returning after two years since its maiden edition in 2015, cultural institution Chhayanaut organised a programme at the Dhaka University Central Playground featuring solo and group songs, recitations and dance recitals. The event was on a hiatus due to Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and Dhaka University Birth Centenary events in 2021.  Read more: Cultural orgs celebrate Victory Day amid festivities Chhayanaut artistes performed eight group songs and two solo songs compiled with dance recitals, and recitations by Jayanto Chattopadhyay at the event. The festivity concluded at 4:31 pm with a group song performance along with the audience, marking the exact moment when the Pakistan Military surrendered to the allied forces of Bangladesh and India in 1971.