Bangladesh: 250 Young Christians Showcase Talents at Dhaka’s 45th Cultural Week

Around 250 Christian students from primary school to university level showcased their artistic talents at the 45th Talent Hunt: Education and Cultural Week, organized by the Dhaka Christian Chattra Kallyan Sangha from October 19 to 23 in the Bangladeshi capital.

The five-day event, held at the Church Community Center in Tejgaon, Dhaka, featured competitions in music, dance, poetry recitation, drama, creative writing, drawing, and instrumental performance. The student-led organization aims to nurture young people’s creativity, confidence, and leadership through cultural and educational activities.

Fr. Regan Pius Costa, assistant parish priest of Tejgaon Parish, highlighted the importance of such initiatives at the opening ceremony, particularly as children spend increasing amounts of time using digital devices.

“In this age of technology, cultural competitions like this are very important,” he said. “They allow children and adolescents to step away from electronic devices and develop their hidden talents.”

Alex Gomes, president of the Dhaka Christian Chattra Kallyan Sangha, said the annual program provides young people with opportunities to discover their abilities and build confidence.

“A stage is not simply a place for lights, music or applause,” he said. “For a child, it can be the first opportunity to reveal a hidden dream, courage and potential to the world.”

Gomes said the Talent Hunt was designed to identify and develop abilities that might otherwise remain unnoticed. Scheduled during the Durga Puja holidays, when schools and colleges are closed, the program also gives Christian students an opportunity to participate in creative activities outside the classroom.

For more than four decades, the initiative has helped participants develop artistic skills, build friendships, and strengthen their leadership abilities, organizers said.

Bangladesh is a predominantly Muslim country, and Christians constitute less than 1 percent of its population. The community includes people from different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, making educational and cultural initiatives important platforms for nurturing identity, community ties, and social participation.

Catholic Anna Minj, Bangladesh’s only Christian member of Parliament, attended the closing ceremony on October 23 and encouraged participants to combine talent with moral formation.

“I believe many of the children and young people participating in this talent hunt today will one day contribute to the country's cultural life,” she said.

Minj also highlighted the role of cultural activities in helping young people avoid drugs and develop positive social values.

“Without humanity, the full development of talent is not possible,” she said.

Parents also welcomed the program’s impact. Grace Gomes, whose daughter won awards in dance, singing, and recitation, said the recognition had encouraged her child.

“She feels very encouraged. Programs like this are truly commendable,” she said.

Participants received awards for first, second, and third places in various categories, although organizers emphasized that the experience and opportunities for personal growth were equally important.

Founded in 1970, the Dhaka Christian Chattra Kallyan Sangha is one of Bangladesh’s oldest Christian youth organizations. Since launching its annual Talent Hunt in 1975, it has supported the educational, cultural, and leadership development of Christian students.

Former student leaders of the association have gone on to serve in leadership positions within the Church and the wider Christian community, reflecting the organization’s contribution to youth formation.

The 2026 gathering continued that tradition by providing young Christians with a platform to develop their abilities, build confidence, and prepare to contribute to Bangladesh’s cultural and social life.