Romania's National Day was celebrated in Dhaka on Saturday (6 December) with an event that blended commemoration, diplomacy and a forward-looking vision for bilateral cooperation.

Hosted by Enayetullah Khan, Honorary Consul of Romania in Bangladesh and Editor-in-Chief of UNB and Dhaka Courier, the gathering at his Baridhara residence drew senior diplomats, academics, policymakers, civil and defence personnel, and members of the cultural community.

Setting a reflective tone, Khan paid tribute to the martyrs of Bangladesh's Liberation War and to those who lost their lives during the July-August 2024 movement. A moment of silence honoured both sacrifices, underscoring a recurring theme of resilience and renewal that ran through the evening.

Khan, in his remarks, highlighted global uncertainties and Bangladesh's own political transition, expressing the hope for a peaceful and participatory election in February that would restore democratic continuity.

Khan highlighted that Bangladesh's marked advancements in GDP and social indexes have placed the country ahead of many South Asian nations. He hoped that Bangladesh's progress would continue uninterrupted.

The consul touched on the long-standing warmth between Bangladesh and Romania. Romania, one of the first countries to recognise Bangladesh in 1971, has since maintained a "multi-faceted and time-tested relationship" spanning cultural, financial, and labour cooperation. A proud member of the European Union, Romania is known for its rich history, vibrant artistic heritage and the legendary land of Dracula.

At the event, artworks by Romanian visual artist Alexandru Poteca were displayed alongside pieces by Bangladeshi artists Alakesh Ghosh, Farida Zaman, Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Bishwajit Goswami, Abdullah Al Bashir and Sourav Chowdhury, as the cultural diplomacy took the centre stage.

Enayetullah Khan, who served as Honorary Consul for nearly three decades, credited Romania's openness to Bangladeshi skilled and semi-skilled workers, particularly in IT and manufacturing sectors, where an estimated 100,000 Bangladeshis are currently employed.

He highlighted that cultural diplomacy has further strengthened people-to-people ties, noting that artworks by renowned Romanian artist Alex and several Bangladeshi artists were on display during the event, symbolising the shared creative dialogue between the two nations.

Former Adviser for Foreign Affairs Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury echoed the spirit of enduring ties, highlighting Romania's historical solidarity and the opportunities for expanding engagement.

The event, held on a breezy December evening-"one of the most festive months in the Bangla calendar"-brought together distinguished guests such as former minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, former Ambassador Tariq Ahmad Karim, former Cabinet Secretary Mosharraf Hossain, and academics including Prof Dr Imtiaz Ahmed.

Khan closed the evening with a focus on deeper Bangladesh-Romania cooperation, wishing the guests a merry Christmas and a hopeful new year-an emblematic gesture for a night defined by friendship, shared aspirations, and a celebration of cultural and diplomatic bonds.