The 16th North American Bengali Literary and Cultural Conference (NABLCC) 2026 will be held on July 24–25 in Noblesville, Indiana. Organizers have extended an open invitation to Bengali-speaking communities across North America to participate in this biennial
celebration of the Bengali language, literature, music, arts, and cultural heritage.
The two-day conference will feature a wide range of literary, artistic, and cultural programs designed to promote and preserve Bengali traditions while strengthening community connections across the continent.
The conference will begin on Friday at 4:00 p.m. with a children’s poetry recitation competition, a traditional pitha (Bengali rice cake) competition, literary discussions, and cultural performances by local artists. The official inauguration will take place on Saturday at 3:00 p.m., followed by remarks from distinguished guests and a live concert by renowned Bangladeshi singer Kona.
Invited and expected guests include Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales; Anindita Kazi, granddaughter of Bangladesh’s National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam; acclaimed vocalist Kona; Somnath Ghosh, Consul General of India in Chicago; Munir Chowdhury, Honorary Consul General of Bangladesh in Chicago; cultural personality Dr. Abdur Chowdhury; writer and Editor of Prothom Alo North America Ibrahim Chowdhury; cultural personality Joyshree Barua; author Dr. Mostak Ahmed; educator and author Dr. Shirin Siddiqui; the organization’s founding president Mohammad Alam Panna; businessman and cultural leader Shah J. Chowdhury; Nandita Gangopadhyay Das; along with distinguished writers, educators, and cultural figures from across the United States and Canada.
One of the major attractions of the conference will be a Bengali Book Fair organized by Muktadhara New York under the leadership of Biswajit Saha. Additional highlights include a photography and art exhibition, displays of traditional Bangladeshi clothing and jewelry, authentic Bengali cuisine, and numerous networking opportunities for members of
the South Asian community.
The organizing committee said the conference aims to strengthen the practice and appreciation of Bengali literature and culture in North America while creating meaningful connections among writers, artists, scholars, and community members from different regions.
The organizers have also appealed for community support through donations to help ensure the success of the event. Individuals interested in contributing or seeking additional information may contact the organizing committee at
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).
Convener Azad Hossain and Joint Conveners Dilruba Amin Mita and Ranjan Roy have warmly invited Bengali-speaking people from across North America to attend the conference. They expressed confidence that the gathering will serve not only as a celebration of Bengali literature and culture but also as an important platform for preserving the Bengali language, history, and heritage for future generations.
