Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) and the Embassy of Spain in Dhaka jointly enthralled Dhaka audiences with an exclusive cultural event at the National Theatre Hall, Segun Bagicha in the capital on Monday.

The event featured a special solo performance by renowned Spanish guitarist Miguel Trapaga and songs, instrumentals, and dance performances by BSA's cultural units.

Francisco de Asis Benitez Salas, Spanish Ambassador to Bangladesh and BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky, joined the cultural programme alongside others.

"Bangladesh is a country of great talents in many many disciplines. This is why the Government of Spain and the Spanish Embassy in Bangladesh have focused on bringing bilateral relations in general and cultural relations in particular to new heights. By doing so, we want to deepen cooperation between Spanish and Bangladeshi universities, learning and cultural institutions as well as civil society contacts between students, artists and the academic community of both countries," Ambassador Salas said.

Introducing the guitar soloist of the evening, Salas added, "We are thrilled to bring the maestro Miguel Trapaga who symbolizes all these efforts and has shown great enthusiasm in this concert since we first contacted him. Mr Trapaga is a well-known guitar soloist in Spain and currently teaches at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Spain. He has performed in major concert halls and theatres in Spain as well as in China, Russia, Australia, Singapore, Portugal, Mexico, Japan, United States, Cuba, Canada, Indonesia and now in Bangladesh."

After the introductory remarks, Miguel Trapaga performed some well-known Spanish and European tunes with his guitar. He was raised in Cantabria, Spain, and studied at the Ataulfo Argenta Conservatory and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid.

He played 16 compositions throughout his performance, including works by revered international guitarists-composers such as Federico Moreno Torroba, Manuel de Falla, and Agustin Barrios Mangoré, to name a few.

Trapaga's performance was followed by the BSA orchestra team, which performed an instrumental presentation titled "Love." The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Music Group then performed two songs, "Joy Sottyer o Joy," written by Enamul Haque and composed by Altaf Mahmud, and the well-known Spanish ballad "Guantanamera."

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Dance Group then showcased the closing performance, a collective dance recital titled "Shuveccha Valobasa."

On May 12, 1972, Spain recognized Bangladesh as a sovereign, independent country. This year the two countries are celebrating the 50 years anniversary of their bilateral relations.