Birmingham Rep part of Bangla Month 2025
A citywide month-long celebration of Bangladeshi creativity & culture
Presented by BADA – Bangladeshi Artist Development Agency, in partnership with Legacy WM, we are thrilled to be joining other leading cultural venues across Birmingham, to celebrate Bangla Month 2025.
This year’s cultural calendar is about to get louder, as this bold, month-long festival celebrates the richness and diversity of Bangladeshi arts, heritage and creativity.
Expanding on the success of last year’s Bangla Week 2024, the 2025 festival transforms into a citywide explosion of music, dance, poetry, comedy, film and visual art, uniting communities through powerful storytelling and creative collaboration. Bangla Month runs from Fri 31 October to Sat 29 November 2025.This year’s festival theme is compassion – bringing together world-class talent, homegrown voices and inspiring cultural experiences
Rachael Thomas, CEO of Birmingham Rep, said:
Bangla Month amplifies voices too often ignored. The Rep is hosting the opening night with Mumzy Stranger and a SMASHBengali comedy special, championing bold talent that’s shaping Birmingham’s cultural future, and creating spaces where diversity shines. Bangla Month isn’t just a festival, it’s a movement powering the city’s artistic pulse.”
Junna Begum, Artistic Director of Bangla Month, said:
Bangla Month is where heritage collides with fresh energy. This year, compassion takes centre stage as dance, comedy, spoken word and film tell stories that spark, provoke and unite. From breakthrough talents to global voices, Bangla Month amplifies community stories like never before – raw, strong and unapologetically loud.”
Programme highlights include a double-bill here at The Rep:
Mumzy
Fri 31 Oct
Mumzy Stranger is one of the UK’s most recognised British Bangladeshi artists, known best for his work as a rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer.
Be among the first to experience the exclusive live premiere of his brand-new single Churi performed for the very first time, right here at The Rep.
Mumzy was the first Bangladeshi artist to break into the UK mainstream music scene. His sound fuses reggae, dancehall, R&B, and soul, and he performs in English, Bengali, Punjabi, Hindi, and Arabic – reflecting a rich and diverse musical identity.
Celebrate the opening of Bangla Month with an evening of music, culture, and creative energy.
Comedy with SMASHBengali
Fri 14 Nov
Get ready for non-stop laughs as Brummie comedian, TV personality, and BBC Asian Network presenter Hashu, better known as SMASHBengali, is your host for this comedy night at The Rep.
Expect side-splitting ‘Binglish’ banter and hilarious performances that’ll have you laughing from start to finish.
Feeling brave? Take the mic during our lively open mic session, giving audiences the chance to share the stage and be part of the fun.
Highlights at venues across Birmingham…
Midlands Arts Centre, Sat 22 Nov
An immersive, intimate poetry mehfil hosted by Kohinoor Yasmin, with headline readings by Saida Chowdhury, open mic night, followed by Q&A and book signing.
CBSO Centre, Sun 23 Nov
A musical grand tour of Bangladesh’s provinces and musical traditions as told through the eyes of an imagined female protagonist, Maya. The Story of Maya, written and created by Bangladeshi musician Neel Kamrul, is presented as part of BCMG’s ongoing Music in Dialogue series.
Neel & Friends: Closing Night Concert
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Sat 29 Nov
A stunning finale from Neel Kamrul and his ensemble, blending Bengali folk with modern indie and experimental sounds, in collaboration with Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG).
The festival will also include exhibitions, visual arts events and film screenings.
Bangla Month 2025 Brochure
For the full programme check out the Bangla Month 2025 brochure.