Photo: BSS

SYLHET, April 13, 2026 (BSS) - The city of Sylhet is witnessing a festive atmosphere as preparations intensify for the celebration of Pahela Boishakh. 

Cultural organizations, educational institutions, and student groups are finalizing last-minute arrangements for a day filled with music, dance, recitation, processions, and fairs.

Multiple cultural initiatives have scheduled programs across the city. The organization “Anandalok” will host morning-to-noon performances including music and dance at the premises of Srihatta Sanskrit College. Meanwhile, “Shruti, Sylhet” has arranged a day-long cultural program at Blue Bird School, starting at dawn and continuing through the afternoon.

Another group, “Charan, Sylhet,” will hold a Baisakhi festival at the grounds of Lolananda Night High School in the Chauhatta area.

A separate celebration is planned at Sylhet Arts College in Kumarpara, beginning with a procession followed by cultural performances and a film screening.

The festive spirit will extend to higher education institutions as well. Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and MC College are organizing special events featuring processions, fairs, drama, dance, poetry recitations, and handicraft exhibitions. MC College has also launched a three-day book fair organized by the Kabita Parishad.

At SUST, the celebration will include a Baisakhi fair, bioscope shows, puppet performances, and cultural exhibitions, drawing active participation from students.

Separately, a cultural program organized by the National Chhatra Shakti will take place at an open stage in the city in the afternoon. Earlier in the day, the Sammilita Natya Parishad held a farewell to Chaitra at Chandnighat, running from afternoon to evening.

Security measures have been strengthened across the city, said officials from the Sylhet Metropolitan Police. In addition to uniformed personnel, plainclothes officers and detective units will be deployed to ensure peaceful celebrations of the Bengali New Year.