Two books of translations of selected works by National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam were published on Thursday, at the Nazrul Institute. Portugese writer-researcher Ana Rita Baptista Rodrigues Jacinto translated 78 pieces, including poems, songs and columns, in a book titled “Nazrul: Prosa e Poesia Selecionados”. Meanwhile, Ecuadorian writer-journalist Maria Helena Barrera-Agarwal released a Spanish translation of 150 works of Nazrul (in poetry, songs and prose) titled “Nazrul: Prosa y Poemas Selectos”. 

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor was chief guest at the event, where other guests were Md. Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs; Julio Cesar, Deputy Chief of Mission of Brazil Embassy; and Patrick Sandoval Nichols, chargé d'affaires, Spanish Embassy. Professor Emeritus Rafiqul Islam, chairman of the board of trustees of Nazrul Institute, chaired the programme. 

After a discussion session, elocutionist Dr. Shahadat Hossain Nipu recited Nazrul's iconic poems “Dhumketu” and “Bidrohi”, after which they were recited in Portugese and Spanish. Noted Nazrul singers Ferdous Ara and Yakub Ali Khan also presented songs.