Aarong, a concern of BRAC, has taken a three-day programme from tomorrow (Thursday) to celebrate four decades of its journey.
The celebrations will be held at the Army Stadium in the capital marking the 40th founding anniversary of Aarong which upholds rich heritage of craft and artisan of Bangladeshi.
Officials of Aarong made the announcement at a press conference on Tuesday at the BRAC Centre Inn.
Speaking at the programme, Senior Director of Aarong Tamara Abed said Aarong is a collaborative work of women in the country's rural areas.
She narrated how Aarong, founded in 1978, grew up to its present state in the last four decades.
"The celebration is 40 years of memories and homage to the artisans who keep our heritage alive," she added.
Currently Aarong is not in export but the handmade-fashion company will shortly start e-commerce for immigrant Bangladeshis, she added.
In response to a query by a reporter she said that the annual turnout of Aarong is now Tk 8.5 billion and the yearly growth is 15 to 20 per cent.
She also talked about alleged incidents of misbehaviour and harassments to its junior staff committed by its senior employees, when a journalist drew her attention on the matter.
Tamara Abed assured of looking into those incidents and take necessary actions, besides seeking cooperation through informing the authorities concerned if such things happened in future.
Participants at the festival can gather experience of live craft demonstrations and take part at workshops with artisans from around the country, said Aarong's Chief Operating Officer (CEO) Mohammad Ashraful Alam.
There are 11 different craft exhibits at the workshops.
Besides, special programmes during the festival include an award-giving ceremony recognising outstanding crafts persons and entrepreneurs.
A 'Fashion Show' will also be organised where specially-designed products will be on display during the celebrations.
On the concluding day of the three-day event, some Bangladeshi artists and bands - Nagar Baul, Joler Gaan, Nemesis, and Minar - will perform, the organiser said.
Participants can also enjoy food stalls, a carnival area for children and special benefits at partner stalls throughout the fest, he mentioned.
A total of 72,000 people have registrated through its online registration process.
Arong design consultant Chandra Shekhar Saha was also present and spoke at the press conference.
Around sixty-five thousand rural artisan and handicraft producers and operates directly and indirectly, and are evolved with Aarong with its 20 retail stores, the speakers said.
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