Presented by BADA - Bangladeshi Artist Development Agency In partnership with Legacy WM and leading cultural venues across Birmingham, this year’s cultural calendar is about to get louder, prouder and more colourful!
This November, the city welcomes Bangla Month 2025 - a bold, month-long festival celebrating the richness and diversity of Bangladeshi arts, heritage and creativity. Expanding on the success of last year’s Bangla Week 2024, the 2025 festival transforms into a citywide explosion of music, dance, poetry, comedy, film and visual art, uniting communities through powerful storytelling and creative collaboration. Bangla Month runs from 31st October to 29th November 2025.
This year's festival theme is compassion, bringing together world-class talent, homegrown voices and inspiring cultural experiences. Aftab Rahman, CEO of Legacy WM and Founder of BADA, said:
“Bangla Month is a bold and exciting evolution of Bangla Week, shining a brighter spotlight on the creativity and culture of the Bangladeshi arts community across Birmingham and beyond. With the invaluable support of Arts Council England and our partners, we aim to make Bangla Month a landmark event in the UK’s cultural calendar, celebrating connection, creativity and community on a truly national scale.”
Junna Begum, Artistic Director of Bangla Month, said: “Bangla Month is where heritage collides with fresh energy. This year, compassion takes centre stage as dance, comedy, spoken word and film tell stories that spark, provoke and unite. From breakthrough talents to global voices, Bangla Month amplifies community stories like never before - raw, strong and unapologetically loud.”
Programme Highlights
• Opening Night: Mumzy Stranger at Birmingham Rep (31st October) British Bangladeshi music icon Mumzy Stranger kicks off Bangla Month with an exclusive live performance and the debut of his new single “Churi”, blending R&B, Reggae, Bengali, and Arabic influences.
• Comedy Night with SMASHBengali (14th November, Birmingham Rep) An evening of laugh-out-loud “Binglish” humour featuring fresh British Asian stand-up acts, plus an open mic spotlighting new comedic voices. Rachael Thomas, CEO of Birmingham Rep, said: "Bangla Month amplifies voices too often ignored. The Rep is hosting the opening night with Mumzy Stranger and a SMASHBengali comedy special, championing bold talent that’s shaping Birmingham’s cultural future, and creating spaces where diversity shines. Bangla Month isn’t just a festival, it’s a movement powering the city’s artistic pulse.”
• Poetry After Chai (22nd November, Midlands Arts Centre) An immersive, intimate poetry mehfil hosted by Kohinoor Yasmin, with headline readings by Saida Chowdhury, open mic night, followed by Q&A and book signing.
Deborah Kermode, CEO of Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), said: “At MAC, we are committed to creating spaces where people can come together and share stories that truly resonate. This year, with Poetry After Chai, exhibitions, and film screenings hosted at MAC, Bangla Month offers a chance to connect, reflect and celebrate creativity in all its forms. We are excited to be part of this journey, helping bring these important voices and narratives to life here in Birmingham.”
• Story of Maya – 23rd November 2025, CBSO Centre A musical grand tour of Bangladesh’s provinces and musical traditions as told through the eyes of an imagined female protagonist, Maya. The Story of Maya, written and created by Bangladeshi musician Neel Kamrul, is presented as part of BCMG’s ongoing Music in Dialogue series. • Neel & Friends: Closing Night Concert (29th November, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire) A stunning finale from Neel Kamrul and his ensemble, blending Bengali folk with modern indie and experimental sounds, in collaboration with Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG).
Stephan Meier, Artistic Director, BCMG, said:
“BCMG are delighted to be partnering with BADA for Bangla Month 2025 and to welcome Neel Kamrul for his third collaboration with the ensemble. The Story of Maya is a compelling fusion of Bangladeshi and Western musical traditions, reflecting our shared commitment to cultural dialogue and artistic innovation."
Exhibitions & Visual Arts (at Midlands Arts Centre and Soho House Museum)
• Folklore of Bengal - A tactile journey through Bangladeshi myths and storytelling traditions.
• The Wall Mrs. by Makbul Chowdhury - A moving tribute to the resilience of British Bangladeshi women during the 1971 Liberation War
• Khola Patta Ceramics by Ayesha Bibi - A poetic exploration of memory, identity, and compassion through ceramics and printmaking. Film & Screenings: Bangla Shorts (at Midlands Arts Centre) A curated evening of short films by local British Bangladeshi directors, exploring themes of identity, migration, mental health and belonging. Includes new work by Ayesha Bibi, Shaiek Ahmed Rana, and Saida Chowdhury.
Community, Creativity, and Compassion From community workshops and open mic nights to immersive storytelling and post-show gatherings, Bangla Month 2025 invites everyone to take part in a citywide celebration of shared heritage, creative resistance, and joyful expression. Get Involved Whether you're an artist, volunteer, sponsor, or audience member, Bangla Month is open to all!
Programme and ticket information:
| Bangla Month 2025 Brochure To get involved: Junna Begum - Artistic Director 07960 874 387 | junna@legacy-wm.org
Press enquiries: Sandhya Nandra - Marketing Communications Officer (0121) 348 8079 | 07825 371348 | sandhya@legacy-wm.org
Notes to Editors: About BADA Launched in 2023, the Bangladeshi Artist Development Agency (BADA) was created by Legacy WM in partnership with local artists and institutions to champion the growing Bangladeshi arts community in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
BADA is chaired by Aftab Rahman (Legacy WM) aims to make the region a centre of excellence for Bangladeshi arts and development. www.legacy-wm.org/arts/bada
About Legacy WM Legacy WM is a charity organisation based in Handsworth, Birmingham. It supports heritage, wellbeing, arts and education initiatives, especially in-migrant communities and has led major cultural projects since 2010. www.legacy-wm.org
About Birmingham Rep The Birmingham Repertory Theatre (The REP) is one of the UK’s most historic producing theatres and a major force in the development of new writing and storytelling. It aims to reflect the diversity of Birmingham through bold, inclusive productions and partnerships. www.birmingham-rep.co.uk
About Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) MAC is a leading multidisciplinary arts venue in Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham. With a year-round programme of contemporary art, theatre, cinema, and creative learning, MAC is known for its commitment to diversity, accessibility and community engagement. www.macbirmingham.co.uk
About Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG) Founded by members of the CBSO, BCMG is one of Europe’s leading ensembles for contemporary music. Based in Birmingham, it champions the creation and performance of new work through collaborations with international composers and local artists alike.
