Like other countries across the globe, Bangladesh also observed the day with seminars, exhibitions and cultural programmes. As ICOM chooses a different theme each year, this year's theme focuses on intangible heritage and the important role it plays in museums and in our lives.

What is that intangible heritage? Intangible heritage is a part of who we are and encompasses our languages, customs and traditions: everything from our folk songs to dance traditions reflecting our diverse cultures to the skills of our artisans. This was the view of the participants at the inauguration of the exhibition, jointly organised by the Bangladesh National Museum, Bangladesh National Committee of ICOM, Bangladesh Museum Parishad and Bangladesh National Museum Officer's Association.

M Shamsul Islam, Minister Information was the chief guest while Begum Selima Rahman, State Minister Cultural affairs was the special guest. Professor Mahmudul Haq, Director General of National Museum gave the welcoming speech and Mudabbir Hussain Chowdhury, Secretary Cultural Affairs, presided over the programme.

The exhibition consists of recently collected artefacts portraying our lives and heritage. They also published a brochure of the exhibiting artefacts which is worth collecting. Some spectators visiting the event, however, commented that some irrelevant political materials in the brochure detracts from its gravity.

A seminar was also held in the afternoon where Dr AKM Shahnewaz presented a keynote.

The evening was marked with a cultural programme that depicted the true Bangali heritage. The evening started with the flute recital of Gazi Abdul Hakim. Hakim has already earned credentials in this field. In fact he is among the few whose name is mentioned in the British Parliament as an exponent of flute made of bamboo. He recited Raga Bhopali and a Bhatiyali tune. After this magnificent recital Farida Parveen came with her Lalon songs. Beginning with the devotional song Ami opar hoye boshey achhi, she also sang some of Lalon's popular tunes like Khanchar bhitor achin pakhi, Dhannya dhannya boli tarey, Barir kacher arshinagar and others.