Zia Memorial Museum to Be Preserved as Part of Bangladesh’s Heritage: Culture State Minister

The government has taken an initiative to preserve and reconstruct the Zia Memorial Museum in Chattogram while retaining its original architectural structure and heritage characteristics, State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam said on Sunday.

Describing the museum building as an old and historically significant structure, the state minister said its archaeological and historical value would be taken into consideration during the preservation process.

“This is not merely a building; it is an important part of the country’s heritage,” he said.

The minister made the remarks while speaking to journalists after inspecting the museum on Sunday (August 16).

Khaiyam said the building would not be treated like an ordinary structure requiring routine repairs. Instead, authorities would seek to preserve its fundamental structure, architectural features and traditional construction characteristics as far as possible.

He said Bangladesh has much to learn from its historic buildings and heritage sites and stressed the importance of protecting the original character of such structures.

Nationwide cultural competitions for Nazrul Year

Later, the state minister attended a divisional-level consultation meeting at the Chattogram Circuit House conference room on the implementation of nationwide cultural competitions for students as part of Nazrul Year.

He said culture plays an important role in people's psychological and intellectual development. Engaging young people in cultural activities, he added, can help build a knowledgeable, humane and healthy society.

The government plans to involve students from primary, technical and secondary educational institutions in competitions based on the works of Kazi Nazrul Islam, Bangladesh's National Poet.

According to the state minister, Nazrul Year has been declared from May 25, 2026, to May 25, 2027, with its formal activities scheduled to begin on August 31.

The first phase of the education-based programme will feature competitions in four disciplines:

• Music
• Poetry
• Drama
• Dance

The competitions will begin at individual educational institutions before progressing to the upazila, district, divisional and national levels.

Khaiyam stressed that students should not simply be nominated directly for competitions. Instead, participants should be selected through transparent and inclusive competitions within their respective institutions.

He said the objective of Nazrul Year is not merely to select a handful of winners. Students who participate at different stages should also remain engaged in cultural activities.

The state minister said culture encompasses much more than music and performing arts.

“Culture includes people's thoughts, lifestyles, literature, reading books, museums, heritage, archaeology, clothing, food, cooking and traditional festivals,” he said.

He also called for greater participation of young people in sports and cultural activities to help keep them away from drugs and other harmful activities.

Khaiyam said Nazrul's contributions to Bengali literature, music, drama and culture are immense, but much of his extensive body of work has yet to reach people adequately.

He said the principal goal of Nazrul Year is to introduce Nazrul's creative works to a new generation and foster a healthy, vibrant and strong cultural environment.

The meeting was chaired by Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr Md Ziauddin.

Among those attending as special guests were Dr Sukomal Barua, Chattogram-9 MP Abu Sufian, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia, Chattogram Range DIG Abdul Quddus Chowdhury, and CMP Commissioner Hasan Md Shawkat Ali, among others.