The Jatiya Kabita Utsab '96 (national poetry festival), organised by the Jatiya Kabita Parishad. began yesterday at the TSC of the Dhaka University amidst the tense situation prevailing on the campus

With a call for the nurturing of meaningful art and culture and the creation of an anti-communal society, the two-day 10th festival was Inaugurated at 4:30 pm. two hours behind schedule, in front of the TSC building.

President of the Parishad

Syed Shamsul Haq opened the festival on behalf of Begum Sufia Kamal, who was unable to attend due to illness. Syed Haq read out a message of Sufia Kamal.

In nis speech. Haq said the Parishad was committed to defending poets, as well as others' right to free speech and expression.

The festival declaration, calling for upholding human rights and humanity, was read out by Muhammad Samad

The inaugural ceremony was attended by noted poets of the country including Mohan Rathan. Mazharul Islam Rafiq Azad Rabitil Hussain. Khaleda Edlb Chowdhury Nurul Huda. Tariq Sufat and visiting Indian Deets. Sunil Gangopadhva and Buddho Dev Dasgupta

Tnc festival continues to day with a seminar on poetry and humanity" at 10 am A recitation session ts sched tiled for 3 pm The national poetry award for 1996 97 will be declared at " pm which will be followed by presentation ot poems hv foreign poets