What's on

Tower Hamlets Council presents performances to celebrate 50 years of Bangladesh’s independence. Dance, music and performance artists take to the stage at Queen Mary University, Mile End.

The council had to take the difficult decision to cancel the Bangladesh@50 Victory Day Concert on 27 December due to rising Covid infection rates. However, we are delighted that despite ticket holders being unable attend in person, many of the artists were still able to perform at the Great Hall (People’s Palace), Queen Mary University of London to record a performance.

Join us online for Bangladesh at 50 Victory Day concert - YouTube with some showstopping music and dance from some of the best UK acts on stage including Naz & Bolly Flex, Nish and Mumzy Stranger, Taal Torongo, IMD and Iksy.

From Independence Day to Victory Day, check out the fantastic array of free events delivered during 2021 to mark this significant anniversary.

 26 March 1971 ushered in the birth of a nation with a declaration of independence for Bangladesh. This marked the beginning of the Bangladesh Liberation War. It culminated in the victory against Pakistan on 16 December 1971. 

The council has been exploring the connections between the War of Independence in 1971 and the local community here in the East End have managed and supported a range of events throughout the year.

The busy, rolling and diverse programme has included a number of talks, youth arts projects and a film festival as well as a brilliant public art installation in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery, supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund.

 As 2021 drew to close, the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Bangladesh continued right across the borough.

The magic of theatre plus talks films, exhibitions and more featured as part of the wide-ranging Freedom and Independence Theatre Festival which ran throughout November. Download the full festival brochure

 November and December provided the opportunity to step into particular kind of abstract living room as created by renowned local artist Rahemur Rahman as part of My Home, My Bari, an immersive art installation linking the Bangladeshi East End experience to the legacy of independence.

Five women artists displayed their work at the Art Pavilion in MEP during December in Five:50, and as a further legacy to this exciting year, a permanent mural will be unveiled on Brick Lane to enhance the already iconic neighbourhood of Banglatown in reference to Bangladesh@50. Please watch this space for further details.