|| Staff Correspondent: The Central Shaheed Minar turned into a vibrant stage of remembrance and cultural expression on Wednesday evening as poets, musicians and performers gathered to commemorate the second anniversary of the July Uprising.Organised by the Sahitya Sangskriti Kendra (Literature and Culture Centre), the programme featured poetry recitation, music and theatrical performances dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives during the July movement and to the ideals associated with it.Despite intermittent rain, hundreds of poets, writers, artists, cultural activists and audience members attended the event, creating an atmosphere of reflection and solidarity. The organisers said the programme aimed to preserve the spirit of the July movement through cultural expression.The event was presided over by Mahbub Mukul, President of Sahitya Sangskriti Kendra. It was jointly hosted by Tarik Hasib, Director of Dahuk Abritti Sangsad, and poet Wahid Al Hasan.Among those who addressed the gathering were former Executive Director of Samannito Sangskritik Sangsad (SASAS) Abu Musa; Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) Literary and Cultural Secretary Musaddak Ali Ibne Mohammad; Sahitya Sangskriti Kendra Secretary Allama Iqbal; Assistant Secretary Abdur Rahman; and Literary Secretary Afsar Nizam.The programme brought together a large number of reciters and poets. Renowned recitation artists including Azharul Islam Rony, Nazrul Islam, Mahbub Titu, Al-Amin Sharif and Masum Alvi performed selected poems, while more than twenty poets presented their original works reflecting on sacrifice, patriotism and the memories of July.Musical performances added another dimension to the evening. Child artist Suraiya Akhtar Saifa, teenage singer Jahin Iqbal and several noted performers, including Abu Raihan, Shariful Islam, Mahfuz Mamun, Abdus Salam, MC Mamun, Iqbal Hossain, Abdul Kader Jilani, Mujahid Jaman, Abdullah Bin Fayez and PM Mizan, performed patriotic and inspirational songs alongside members of the Metropolitan Cultural Group.Theatre performances also drew attention, with actors Aziz Saifullah and Rubel Hossain presenting solo dramatic pieces inspired by the events and emotions surrounding the July movement.As rain continued to fall throughout the evening, performers and audience members remained at the venue, where poetry, songs and dramatic performances paid tribute to the martyrs and highlighted the importance of keeping alive the values and aspirations associated with the July Uprising.According to the organisers, the cultural observance is part of a broader series of anniversary programmes. They noted that Dahuk Abritti Sangsad, the recitation wing of Sahitya Sangskriti Kendra, organised a two-day recitation festival on July 19 and 20 at the Studio Theatre of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, featuring prominent recitation artists including Nasim Ahmed, Sharif Bayezid Mahmud, Mustagichur Rahman Mustak and Ahsan Habib.The organisers also announced that a stage play marking the July Uprising will be performed on July 29 at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, inviting the public to attend the production.