On February 25, 2025, the Russian House in Dhaka celebrated its 50th anniversary. The grand event was attended by the Advisor of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Dr. Touhid Hossain; the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Aleksandr Khozin; and the Director General of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dr. Syed Jamil Ahmed.
The event opened with a video message from the Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, Yevgeny Primakov, congratulating the Russian House in Dhaka on its 50th anniversary. He noted that half a century is an entire era, during which the Russian House has become a true center of Russian language and culture in Bangladesh, serving as a bridge of friendship and mutual understanding between our peoples.
In his welcoming speech, the Director of the Russian House, Pavel Dvoychenkov, emphasized that the Russian House in Dhaka (formerly known as the Russian Cultural Center) has been a symbol of strong diplomatic and cultural ties between Russia and Bangladesh since its establishment. Over the past five decades, it has played a vital role in fostering mutual understanding, promoting educational exchange, and strengthening interpersonal connections.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Dr. Touhid Hossain, highlighted that the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-Russia friendship is the evidence of the enduring historical ties, particularly in the fields of education, art, and literature. This milestone symbolizes an unwavering commitment to further strengthening ties and building a brighter future for both nations.
The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Bangladesh, Aleksandr Khozin, stated: “The 50th anniversary of the Russian House in Dhaka marks half a century of cultural exchange and friendship between Russia and Bangladesh. The Russian House is a vital center for promoting Russian culture and fostering mutual understanding. Russia values its historical support for Bangladesh, and our bond has only grown stronger over time. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to deepening cultural and interpersonal ties. The Russian House remains a pillar of this friendship, uniting our peoples through rich traditions”.
The Director General of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dr. Syed Jamil Ahmed, emphasized the importance of cultural exchange between Bangladesh and Russia. He expressed hope that Russia, as one of the most multicultural countries in the world with a rich history of arts and literature, could contribute even more to the cultural development of Bangladesh. He also noted that cultural exchange would help strengthen friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of Bangladesh and Russia.
Following the formal ceremony, a festive concert took place featuring performances by cultural groups from the Embassy of Russia in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, and the dance group “Happiness”. The program included Russian folk dances such as “Valenki”, “Gusachok”, “Katyusha” “Lebedushka”, “Gori, Gori Yasno”, “V roshche pel solovushka”, “Porushka-Paranya”, and “Nad vodoy” among others. Special attention was given to the performances by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, which presented several dances for the first time.
The event was attended by senior officials and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Association of Soviet Alumni of Bangladesh, the Liberation War Veterans Foundation, the Bangladesh-Russia Friendship Society, higher educational institutions, compatriots, staff of the Russian Embassy in Bangladesh, and over 30 local media outlets.