DHAKA, Dec 16, 2025 (BSS) - The Bangladesh mission in Italy today celebrated the Victory Day with due honour and through a series of programmes, highlighting expatriates' commitment to democracy, reforms and national progress.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy Rakibul Haque inaugurated the observance in the morning by hoisting the national flag at the embassy premises with the rendition of the national anthem, according to an official release received here.

Later, a discussion and cultural programme titled "54 Years of Victory" was organised with the participation of embassy officials and staff, Bangladeshi students studying in Italy, community leaders, prominent expatriate Bangladeshis and Italian friends of Bangladesh.

The programme began with a one-minute silence in memory of the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War and those who laid down their lives during the 2024 mass uprising. 

Messages from the President, the Chief Adviser, and the Foreign Adviser were read out on the occasion.

Speakers at the discussion highlighted the significance of Victory Day and welcomed the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government, expressing optimism about building a discrimination-free, developed and prosperous Bangladesh. 

They also thanked the interim government for allowing expatriates to participate in the 13th general election scheduled for February 12, 2026, through postal ballots for the first time.

Following the discussion, Bangladeshi students based in Italy performed patriotic songs at a cultural event.

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Rakibul Haque paid deep tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War, the 2024 mass uprising and all those who contributed to Bangladesh's democratic movements.

He highlighted initiatives taken by the Bangladesh Embassy for the overall welfare of expatriate Bangladeshis in Italy and noted that Bangladesh-Italy bilateral relations had made notable progress within a short period under the leadership of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

The ambassador urged expatriate Bangladeshis in Italy to participate more widely in the forthcoming general election through postal voting and to continue contributing from their respective positions to building a happy, prosperous, discrimination-free and justice-based Bangladesh.