The inauguration ceremony of Kathak International Poets Summit 2016 was held at National Art Gallery auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on January 29 evening.

A group of renowned poets from Sweden, Slovakia, Morocco and Taiwan joined the summit, along with ace Bangladeshi poets.

The event, January 29 to February 3, features different programmes including recitation, award giving ceremony, views-exchange and discussion where rising Bangladeshi poets will interact with noted local and international poets.

Principal Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office, Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad attended the inauguration ceremony as chief guest, while Johan Frisell, Ambassador of the Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh was the

guest of honour. Shamsuzzaman Khan, director general of Bangla Academy, presided over the programme.

Ace Swedish poet Bengt Berg, Slovakian poet Milan Richter, Moroccan poet Dr. Benaissa Bouhmala and Taiwanese poet Dr. Lee Kuei-shien were also present at the inauguration ceremony. This year Kathak will confer the Kathak Literary Award 2016 on the guest poets.

Lin Fo-er, Lee Ruo-ying, Dr. Fang Yaw-chien, Tai Chin-cho and Chen Xiu-zen have also joined the event, along with leading Bangladesh poets Asad Chowdhury, Hayat Saif, Habibullah Sirajee, Mohammad Nurul Huda, Zahidul Haq and Aminur Rahman.

The summit aims at bridging the cultural gap between poets and artists of different countries, and creating a festive atmosphere for artistic minds.