PULLMAN, Wash. – A free dinner, performances and speeches will promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism 4-6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 2, in the CUB junior ballroom at Washington State University. Donations will be accepted to help cover costs.
The evening is hosted by the WSU Association for Bangladeshi Students & Scholars to recognize cultural traditions, understanding and tolerance at the university by affiliating with various other student organizations and departments.
The event commemorates International Language Day (Feb. 21), established by UNESCO to celebrate local languages in honor of the 1952 struggle for linguistic recognition of Bangla, the language of the Bangladeshi people.
Keynote speaker Azfar Hussain will discuss “The 1952 Language Movement and Bangladesh: Power Relations and Language Relations.” He is a prominent Bangladeshi theorist, critic, poet, translator and activist.
He is interim vice president of the Michigan-based nonprofit Global Center for Advanced Studies; GCAS professor of English, world literature and interdisciplinary studies; and associate professor of liberal studies and interdisciplinary studies at Grand Valley State University.
Other participants include the Student Entertainment Board, Graduate & Professional Student Association, CougParents and International Students’ Council.
Learn more at http://studentinvolvement.orgsync.com/org/wsuabss.