Sixth edition of DIFF cancelled due to COVID-19

This year’s edition of the annual Dhaka International Folk Fest (DIFF), an internationally acclaimed three-day music festival dedicated to South Asian and global folk music, has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Sun Foundation and Square Group, the musical fete will not take place amid the pandemic. The organisers cancelled this year’s edition to minimise the risk of coronavirus transmission despite taking all necessary precautions, reports UNB.

Besides, the event would have been affected by international flight restrictions as the event prominently features artists from different countries, according to organisers.

Annually held at the Army Stadium in the capital, the cancellation came as a disappointment to music enthusiasts who had a rare opportunity every year since 2015 to get enamoured by the symphony of folks featuring prominent Bangladeshi and international artists.

However, the audiences welcomed the decision considering the ongoing pandemic.

The fifth edition held last year from November 14 to Novermber 17 was dedicated to six legends of Bangla music: Fakir Abdur Rob Shah, Subir Nandi, Bari Siddiqui, Shahnaz Rahmatullah, Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul, and Ayub Bachchu.

More than 200 artistes from six countries including Bangladesh enthralled audiences in the fifth edition, including Shah Alam Sarkar, Fakir Shahabuddin, Chandana Majumdar, Kajol Dewan, Malek Kawal, along with Kamruzzaman Rabbi and Shafikul Islam (Bauliana), dance group Prema and Bhabna Nritya Dol from Bangladesh - along with Daler Mehndi from India; Junoon and Hina Nasrullah from Pakistan; Sattuma from Russia, Chveneburebi from Georgia, Habib Koité and Bamada from Mali.