Cox’s Bazar will host a seven-month festival series to establish itself as a global cultural destination. The series will start with a tourism architecture expo in July and culminate in the Burning Crab Festival in January 2026.
Anisul Haque Chowdhury Shohag, managing director of Mermaid Eco-Tourism Ltd, leads the initiative combining art, music, film, and creative activities.
They also said the festival will feature a July 2025 tourism and architectural expo, an eco-tourism, sustainable resort, and cultural preservation summit.
The Mystic Bauls of Bengal event will be held in August 2025 and will tribute the Bauls’ spiritual and poetic heritage through live performances and storytelling.
The organizer said the September 2025 Indigenous Festival will showcase Bangladesh’s ethnic music, dance, art, and crafts.
In October 2025, the Food and Art Festival will be a fusion of culinary excellence and artistic heritage.
Cox’s Bazar Film Festival will begin in November 2025. Inspired by Cannes and Busan, this global cinema festival will involve screenings, masterclasses, and networking.
The Beach Music Festival will celebrate folk and global music by the sea in December 2025.
The culmination is the January 2026 Burning Crab Festival, curated by famous Japanese festival designer Jiro Endo. This festival combines art, music, film, food, and sustainability to boost Cox’s Bazar’s cultural status.
Anisul Haque Chowdhury said that Cox’s Bazar, famed for its tranquil coastline and rich cultural legacy, is envisioned as a global cultural hub, becoming a center for artistic expression, music, food, and film.
“Earlier this year, we successfully organized the ‘Burning Crab Festival,’ bringing cultural enthusiasts worldwide. The festival celebrates creativity, freedom, and open expression, marking the start of 7 exciting events planned over 7 months,” he added.
He also said that this series will establish Cox’s Bazar as a worldwide cultural hub where heritage meets innovation and open expression.
In this regard, he recently met with Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, the Adviser of cultural affairs to the Interim Government. He sought collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to ensure the event’s success.
The organizers hoped this initiative would establish Cox’s Bazar on the global cultural map and attract local and international tourists.
By Saddam Hossain
Photo: Courtesy
