National Lottery Grants for Heritage – £10,000 to £250,000
A group of young people will be empowered with training and support to delve into the rich heritage of Bengal since 1971 when Bangladesh declared independence. They will utilise web-based resources, collaborate with staff from the Bangladesh High Commission and local residents, and collaborate with an artist and workshop facilitators.
Creating a tranquil garden
Building upon the installation of the Shahid Minar, a symbolic Bangladeshi monument at the organisation's centre in 1991, Bangladesh Youth League Luton also aims to establish a Heritage Garden. This space will serve as a sanctuary for individuals seeking moments of reflection and tranquillity, enhancing the existing area through the support from volunteers. Participants will research Bengali plants that are suitable for the UK climate, and contribute to the planning, design, implementation and maintenance of the garden.
Fostering new collaborations
Our funding will also enable them to:
- host an exhibition, create a memorial wall mural, and a programme of Bengali songs, dances and poetry
- capture and record memories by producing a booklet, short videos and recordings of oral history
- create various staffing roles to support the project, including administrators and youth support workers
- kick-start new relationships between Bangladeshi organisations in other parts of the country
Sunil Kumar, Heritage Project Co-ordinator for Centre for Youth and Community Development, said: "The project will give people of all ages in the community a chance to get involved in this endeavour.
"The young kids will get involved with cultural arts and enhance their confidence. The youth could bring their energy to research and collecting data and the elderly can share the memories and guide us through their journey."
