Folk Fest returns in January after five-year hiatus

The Dhaka International Folk Festival is set to make a vibrant return in January 2025 after a five-year break, much to the delight of folk music enthusiasts. 

Scheduled to run from January 23 to 25 at the Bangladesh Army Stadium, this sixth edition promises a fresh experience filled with local and international folk music.

Asifuzzaman Khan, Finance Director of the festival's organizing company, Sun Communications Limited, shared venue details with a private television channel, calling the stadium a “major accomplishment” for the event’s revival. 

Tanvir Hossain, Executive Creative Director of Sun Communications, added, “We’ll hold a press conference soon to unveil more about the event’s registration process, lineup, and other important details.”

The festival will host a mix of Bangladeshi and international folk artists, bringing a global flair to the stage. Initially launched in 2015, the Dhaka International Folk Fest captivated audiences annually until 2019, drawing folk music lovers from across the world. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a pause in 2020, making this 2025 edition the first since November 2019.

That last edition saw iconic Bangladeshi artists like Fakir Shahabuddin and Chandana Majumder perform alongside global names, including Pakistan’s Junoon, India’s Daler Mehndi, Georgia’s Chveneburebi, Mali’s Habib Koite and Bamada, and Russia’s Sattuma.

In just a few years, the Dhaka International Folk Fest has cemented itself as a key platform for celebrating folk music and cultural heritage, uniting artists and audiences from around the globe.