Dhaka: The government of Bangladesh has unveiled extensive plans to commemorate the great Victory Day in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s history. The celebrations will commence with a 31-gun salute in Dhaka on the morning of December 16, followed by a series of events paying homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the President and the Chief Adviser will lead the nation in honoring the fallen heroes by laying wreaths at the Savar National Martyrs’ Memorial at sunrise. They will be followed by families of the Bir Shrestha, war-wounded Freedom Fighters, and other brave Freedom Fighters under the leadership of the Liberation War Affairs Adviser. Foreign diplomats, political and social organizations, and citizens from all walks of life will also pay their respects by laying wreaths.
The national flag will be prominently displayed across government, semi-government, autonomous, and private buildings, as well as Bangladesh embassies and missions abroad. While important buildings and establishments will be illuminated, special care will be taken to ensure that lights remain off during the day and night of December 14. The streets of Dhaka and other cities will be adorned with banners, festoons, and colorful flags.
In an ambitious move, Bangladesh aims to set a new world record by parachuting with the most flags. This joint initiative by the Bangladesh Army, Air Force, and Navy will feature 54 paratroopers carrying flags to commemorate the 54th anniversary of independence, aiming to secure a Guinness World Record for the largest flag-carrying parachute jump.
Victory Day will also witness separate fly-past exercises by the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force at the old airport in Tejgaon, Dhaka. A special band show will feature performances by armed forces across the country, including police force, BGB, Ansar, and BNCC band groups.
A three-day grand Victory Fair will be organized in all districts and upazilas, as was done in previous years, under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs. Educational institutions will host gatherings where students will hoist the national flag, perform the national anthem, parade, and display.
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs will host an acrobatic show and a procession of ‘General Osmani’ at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on December 15. Victory Day songs will be performed at Suhrawardy Udyan, and new-generation artists will perform songs of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra across 64 districts.
Cultural programs, discussions, and competitions will be organized by institutions such as Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, and the National Museum. Bangladesh embassies abroad will conduct similar programs to emphasize the significance of Victory Day.
Sports events, including football matches, T20 cricket tournaments, Kabaddi, and Hadudu games, will be held at district and upazila levels with student participation. The President will extend felicitations to members of the Bir Shrestha families at Bangabhaban, and receptions for family members of freedom fighters and martyrs will be held nationwide.
Commemorative postage stamps will be issued by the Bangladesh Postal Department. Special banquets will be arranged at hospitals, prisons, orphanages, and other welfare centers. Private radio and TV channels, alongside Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, will broadcast programs celebrating the Liberation War.
Children’s parks and museums will be open to the public without charge, and Liberation War films will be screened free for students in cinemas. Ships at BIWTC wharves and other ports will be open for public viewing, and special prayers will be held in religious places across the country, seeking peace and progress for Bangladesh.