Aarong celebrates 40 years of bringing Bangladeshi crafts to the world

A 3-day grand celebration will open at the Dhaka Army Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday (25 October) to observe the 40th anniversary of Aarong, Bangladesh’s most popular lifestyle retail chain.

The ‘Aarong 40 Years Festival’ will be open to the public, and will celebrate the rich heritage of Bangladeshi craft and its artisans, Aarong officials told journalists at a press conference today on Tuesday (23 October) at the BRAC Centre in the capital.

“Aarong is the collaborative work of the people of Bangladesh – from women in rural areas, to master craftspersons, to designers and administrators. Aarong has grown up with Bangladesh. This festival is a celebration of that special bond, 40 years of memories and a homage to the artisans who keep our heritage alive,” Tamara Abed, Senior Director for Aarong and other BRAC Enterprises, said at the press conference.

Participants at the festival can experience live craft demonstrations and take part in workshops with artisans from around the country at 11 different craft exhibits. Special programmes during the festival include an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding craftspersons and entrepreneurs, the Aarong Fashion Show featuring specially designed collections by HERSTORY, TAAGA and TAAGA MAN and a concert with top Bangladeshi artists Nagar Baul James, JolerJaan, Nemesis, and Minar. Participants can also enjoy food stalls, a carnival area for children and special benefits at partner stalls throughout the festival. Festival details are available on: http://www.aarong.com/news/aarong-40-years-festival-at-army-stadium/

Aarong Chief Operating Officer Mohammad AshrafulAlam and Design Consultant Chandra ShekharSaha were also present at the press conference.

Aarong was established in 1978 to support the lives and livelihoods of rural artisans. Over the last 40 years, Aarong has fused traditional, indigenous Bangladeshi heritage with contemporary design, setting the fashion and lifestyle trends of the country. Aarong now supports over sixty-five thousand rural artisans and handicraft producers and operates 20 retail stores.