PORIMOL PALMA

While French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Bangladesh may feature signing of important business deals and discussions on geopolitical issues, he wants to witness the beauty of the country and experience its culture.

The president is scheduled to visitthe Dhanmondi Lake in the capital and meet Joler Gaan (music of water), an independent folk band from Dhaka, to enjoy its music.

Macron is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow after attending the G20 summit in New Delhi. He will meet Joler Gaan lyricist Rahul Anand at his workshop in the evening.

“France is a country that is famous for arts and culture. Also, Bangladesh and France have a very strong cultural cooperation. I think this visit of President Macron is part of that cultural cooperation as well as people-to-people contacts,” a diplomatic source told The Daily Star yesterday.

Joler Gaan has won fame both at home and abroad, and the French president is also aware of it, said the source familiar with the events.

The folk band uses the lyrics based on human stories and sometimes customises foreign ones.

Apart from home, the band has performed at musical events in various parts of the world. In 2006, it participated in the World Sufi Festival, Glasgow, Scotland.

According to the latest schedule of Macron’s two-day visit to Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

SEE PAGE 6 COL 4