The Nazrul Institute yesterday launched two Portuguese and Spanish translations of literary works of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at its auditorium in the capital.
The Portuguese translation titled “Nazrul: Prosa e Poesia Selecionados” by Portuguese writer Ana Rita Baptista Rodrigues Jacinto contains a total of 78 poems, songs and essays, including Bidrohi, Dhumketu, while the Spanish translation titled “Nazrul: Prosa y Poemas Selectos” by Spanish writer and journalist Maria Helena Barrera-Agarwal contains 150 poems, essays and songs by the national poet.
Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor attended the programme as chief guest while Prof Emeritus Rafiqul Islam presided over it.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Deputy Chief of Mission of Brazilian Embassy in Bangladesh Julio Cesar Silva were the special guests at the programme.
Asaduzzaman Noor said the Portuguese and Spanish translations of Nazrul’s literary works were crucial since a large number of people speak the two languages.
“The two translations will help us uphold Nazrul and his works across the world,” he added.
The programme ended with a cultural event where Portuguese and Spanish versions of Nazrul’s two famous poems Bidrohi and Dhumketu were recited.
