A two-day International Poetry Festival was inaugurated at Rangpur Town Hall auditorium on Friday afternoon.

Over 300 poets of Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Australia took part in the festival.

The programme on the inaugural day was divided into two sessions.

The festival was arranged by the Rangpur-based reputed literary newspaper 'Natun Shahitya Potrika'.

Shamsuzzaman Khan, director general, Bangla Academy formally inaugurated the poetry festival as chief guest. Professor Dr. Rezaul Haque former principal of Rangpur Carmichael College and noted educationist, presided over the ceremony.

Poet Mahfil Haque, convener of the festival and editor of the Natun Shahitya Potrika delivered the welcome address at the inaugural ceremony.

The inaugural programme was

anchored by Anwarul Islam Raju and Afifa Ishrat Chetona.

Habibul Haque Sarker, renowned literary personality of Bangladesh; poets Sukumar Das Gupta, Partho Raha, Pranji Basak and Alok Bandopadhyay from India were present as special guests at the inaugural ceremony.

Ashish Sanyal, noted poet of India, formally unwrapped the cover of the

special edition of the Natun Shahitya Potrika as honorary guest at the inaugural ceremony.

Professor Alim Uddin, renowned educationist and literary personality presided over the second session of the inaugural day.

Mostafizur Rahman, renowned literary personality, was present as chief guest in the second session in

the inaugural day.

Mosaddek Hossain Bablu, president of Rangpur District Unit Command of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangshad and president of Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and poet Man Prasad Shoba of Nepal were present as special guests at the second session on the inaugural day.

On the inaugural day, poets Kalyan Chattopadhyay, Ramesh Purokayostha, Satyapriyo Mukhopadhyay, Debashish Chakraborty, Sajit Saha, Tonushree Paul, Probir Sheel, Dr. Nurul Islam, Sunil Sarker, Rakesh Ranjan, Dibakar Dhakal, Abhiyug Adhikary, Ranju Giri, Arun Biswas and Sokhdum Azam Mashrafee recited their own poems.

A large number of people including poets, writers, educationists, sociocultural activists and professionals of all ages were enthused by the poetry recitation and discussions at the festival.