A vibrant celebration of Bengali New Year is set to light up Japan as expatriate Bangladeshis prepare to host a grand cultural festival titled “Boishakhi Mela Japan” in Misato City. The event will bring together music, traditional fair activities and community gatherings, featuring performances by two of Bangladesh’s most popular contemporary singers—Ankhi Alamgir and Arfin Rumey.
Scheduled to take place on Sunday at Lirio Park in Misato City, Saitama Prefecture, the day-long programme is expected to run from morning until evening, offering a blend of live entertainment and cultural festivities. Alongside musical performances, organisers have arranged a traditional Boishakhi fair, aiming to recreate the sights, sounds and spirit of Pahela Baishakh for the Bangladeshi diaspora in Japan.
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A cultural celebration abroad
The event has been organised by members of the Bangladeshi expatriate community in Japan, who say the initiative is designed to strengthen cultural ties among migrants and offer a sense of home away from home. According to organisers, the fair is intended to become a large-scale gathering point for Bangladeshis living in Japan, uniting families, workers and students in a shared celebration of heritage.
They described the programme as an effort to “build a small Bangladesh abroad”, highlighting the importance of cultural continuity for expatriates navigating life in a different linguistic and social environment.
Star-studded musical line-up
The main attraction of the festival will be live performances by Ankhi Alamgir and Arfin Rumey, both of whom are established names in Bangladesh’s music industry. They will be joined on stage by additional performers, including Bappi, Rana, Ujjal and Mehedi, adding further diversity to the entertainment programme.
Event overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event name | Boishakhi Mela Japan |
| Location | Lirio Park, Misato City, Saitama Prefecture |
| Date | Sunday (full-day event) |
| Organisers | Bangladeshi expatriate community in Japan |
| Main performers | Ankhi Alamgir, Arfin Rumey |
| Supporting artists | Bappi, Rana, Ujjal, Mehedi |
| Programme | Live music concert and Boishakhi fair |
Arfin Rumey’s first Japan performance
Speaking ahead of the event, Arfin Rumey expressed excitement about performing in Japan for the first time. He emphasised the collaborative nature of the show and his enthusiasm at sharing the stage with Ankhi Alamgir.
“This is my first performance in Japan,” he said. “We will perform together, enjoy the moment, and try to give everyone a beautiful experience filled with music and joy.”
Rumey remains one of the most active voices in contemporary Bangladeshi music, regularly contributing to film and television playback. His recent works include the title track of the drama series “Eta Amaderi Golpo”, alongside a series of singles such as “Rin”, “Madhyobitto”, “Kichukkhon”, “Apon” and “Premer Radio”.
Ankhi Alamgir’s ongoing international presence
Singer Ankhi Alamgir continues to maintain a strong presence on both domestic and international stages, balancing live performances with new music releases. Earlier this year, she recorded a song titled “Jora Shalik” for Bangladesh Television. Prior to that, she released “Prem Byapari”, which attracted considerable listener attention following its release.
Strengthening cultural identity abroad
The Boishakhi Mela in Misato reflects a wider global trend of diaspora communities preserving and celebrating cultural traditions through large-scale festivals. For many Bangladeshis in Japan, such events serve not only as entertainment but also as an emotional and cultural bridge to their homeland.
With music, traditional fairground elements and strong community participation, this year’s celebration is expected to transform Lirio Park into a vibrant hub of Bengali culture—uniting generations of expatriates in a shared expression of identity, nostalgia and festive joy.