Sonargaon, located near the capital city of Dhaka, is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike who are interested in exploring Bangladesh's rich cultural heritage. One of the most famous attractions in Sonargaon is the Handicrafts Fair, which is held annually.
Fortunately, we had the opportunity to match the time of the fair this time. It was such an amazing experience to see all the handcrafted products of rural Bangladesh and the folk arts that exhibit our history & culture.*
The fair showcases a wide range of traditional handicrafts, including pottery, textile, woodwork, and metalwork, created by skilled artisans from different parts of the country.
Let me give you a visual tour of the fair.
The Handicrafts Fair at Sonargaon is organized by the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) and the Ministry of Industries. The fair usually runs for several days and attracts a large number of visitors, including local and foreign tourists, art collectors, and buyers.
It was a very sunny day, that's the only unfavorable side of the day. Otherwise, we fully enjoy the visit. As you can see the place is huge, well organized. It's inside Sonargaon town - the old capital of Bangla.
The fair provides a platform for local artisans to showcase their skills and creativity, as well as to market and sell their products. Visitors can also witness live demonstrations of various handicraft-making techniques and interact with the artisans to learn more about their work and traditions.
If you have the plan to visit the place, I would suggest you have a full day or you will miss many things.
There are a few corners dedicated to certain products. For example, this side was for wooden and handcrafted house products. In the other section, you will find textiles, clothing shops, folk art products, etc.
In addition to shopping, the fair also offers visitors the chance to witness traditional crafts being made by skilled artisans. For example, visitors can watch weavers creating intricate patterns on handloom sarees, potters molding clay into beautiful vases and other decorative items, and woodworkers carving intricate designs on furniture.
It was the middle of the noon so we couldn't witness any live weaving or crafting. I have heard that they showcase this work in the morning and during the afternoon only.
Look at the color and the folk art. If you are not familiar with such an art form, then I would like to inform you that, this colorful artwork is one of the oldest in this region. Back then, people used to love to have this work on their walls, daily use products like cooking pots, and on the furnitures as well.
Nowadays, it can be seen largely used in our Rickshaws-man pulled vehicles.
Apart from handicrafts, the fair also offers a range of cultural activities, including folk music and dance performances, food stalls, and other entertainment options.
The Handicrafts Fair at Sonargaon is an excellent opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage of Bangladesh and support local artisans and their crafts. We have bought a few products like hanging pots, a few dresses, a bag, some wooden small products, etc. It was more like a cultural tour filled with nostalgia to us rather than a shopping day.
Keep this on your list if you ever visit Bangladesh.
Have a good day, everyone.
