The 20-member delegation, led by the member of the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Rashiduzzaman Millat MP, participated in the festival at Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 6-8.

Presided over by Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Ahmed Nazir, the reception programme on Tuesday night was addressed by State Minister for Cultural Affairs Begum Selima Rahman, Rashiduzzaman Millat MP, Cultural Affairs Secretary Modabbir Hossain Chowdhury and deputy team leader Sherin Sultana Sherin.

Appreciating the performance of the delegation, the state minister said the team had succeeded in familiarising the culture and heritage of Bangladesh to the people of Australia through their programmes.

"Our cultural team has successfully projected the Bangladesh as a culturally developed nation and placed the country in a dignified position abroad," she said.

Later, Selima Rahman distributed certificates among the participants.

The reception was followed by a musical soiree participated by noted singers Abida Sultana, Rafiqul Alam, Baby Naznin and young singer Luna Khandakar.

Team leader Rashiduzzaman Millat MP, Cultural Secretary Modabbir Hossain Chowdhury and deputy team leader Sherin Sultana Sherin also rendered songs at the reception.

Besides, dancers presented dance.

Other members of the cultural delegation were Programme Director of Shilpakala Academy and Manager of the team Zinat Barkatullah, journalist Rezaul Karim, announcer Dr Fowaz Hussain Shuvo, singer Farida Parveen, dancers Shafiqur Rahman, Farhana Chowdhury, Irin Parvin, Shahrima Bari Sinthy, Shahadat Hossain and Masudul Amin Rintu, musicians Gazi Abdul Hakim, Swapan Kumar Nag, ASM Reza, Mirza Khairul Hossain Monu and Abdul Mannan.