A dance recital at Russian Science and Cultural Centre. — Snigdha Zaman

Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Dhaka organised a programme to mark the Russian Language Day and the 213rd birth anniversary of great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin on Thursday at the auditorium of the centre.
The programme consisted of a discussion session, screening of a documentary and a cultural show.
Habibur Rahman, former chief of Justice was present at the programme as chief guest while Nirmalendu Goon and Syed Shamsul Huq, renowned poets of Bangladesh, and H E Nikolaev, ambassador of Russia to Bangladesh, were present as Special Guests.
At the discussion session presided over by Alexander P. Demin, head of the Russian Centre, poet Nirmalendu Goon shared his experiences in Russia and also his thoughts about Russian poetry. Speaking about the life and works of Alexander Pushkin, Goon recalled Phuskin as one of the greatest poets of all-time. Goon also recited his poem Lena-er Jonno Bhalobasha, which narrates some distinct feelings of the poet about a Russian girl named Lena.
Poet Syed Shamsul Huq expressed that Bangladeshi poets and writers have always been influenced by Russian literature while Habibur Rahman, in his speech, upheld the greatness of both Russian language and the poetry of Alexander Pushkin.
The discussion session was followed by screening of a slideshow that depicted the history and development of Russian language beginning from its origin until now.
Artistes of cultural organisation Jion Kathi presented a chorus production that included parts of popular Bengali poem for the children like Aay aay chand mama, Bhor holo dor kholo, Openty bioscope, Ami holam sokal belar pakhi and others. Dancers of Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts presented colourful dance recitals synchronosied with songs like Pagla hawar, Dhum tanana dhum and Baidya ghorer maiya go.