Tangail celebrates sweets and sarees at first-ever 'Sweet Festival'

The first-ever ‘Sweet Festival 2026’ began at Shaheed Smriti Municipal Park in Tangail town today, aiming to promote the district’s century-old sweet industry and boost its tourism potential.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku inaugurated the festival this afternoon. The festival, planned by Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque, will continue until September 6.

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The organisers hope the festival will help promote Tangail’s traditional sweets at home and abroad, while drawing more visitors to the district.

The festival features a wide range of traditional sweets, including Tangail’s famed ‘Porabarir Chomchom’ and Jamurki’s ‘Kalidas Shondesh’, prepared by artisans from families that have been making the delicacies for generations.

A large display of Tangail’s traditional sarees has also been arranged for visitors.

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Photo: Mirza Shakil /Star

By bringing together the district’s renowned sweets and weaving traditions, the festival is showcasing Tangail’s cultural heritage in a new way.

The organisers said the festival has three main objectives: promoting Tangail’s renowned sweet industry globally under the ‘Brand Tangail’ banner; creating opportunities for young people to become entrepreneurs while preserving local traditions; and strengthening the local economy by promoting locally made products.

Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque said Tangail has enormous potential, particularly in tourism.

State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku said an event focusing on Tangail’s GI products and traditional local industries would further enrich the district’s tourism sector.

“Local small entrepreneurs, sweet artisans, weavers and traders will get the opportunity to connect with new markets and buyers,” he said.

The festival has generated enthusiasm among local residents, with organisers calling on people to participate and support the promotion of Tangail’s heritage and local products.