A two-day National Poetry Festival titled 'Jatiya Kobita Utsab' will be kicked off on February 1 in front of the Central Library on Dhaka University campus in the capital.

In the 33rd version of the annual festival, organized by Jatiya Kabita Parishad (National Poetry Council), 15 invited poets from six countries including India, Sweden, Maldives, Turkey and Malaysia will participate alongside local poets.

The registration for the annual festival is going on in the TSC and will continue until January 31.

Poet Asad Chowdhury will inaugurate the festival where Poet Habibullah Siraji will be honoured for his contribution to poetry, said speakers at a press conference held at Teacher-Student Centre of Dhaka University on Friday.

Presided over by the Jatiyo Kobita Parishad president Dr Mohammad Samad where General Sectary Poet Tariq Sujat read out a written statement at the event. The press conference was also attended by Poet Asad Chowdhury, Anwara Syed Haq, Asad Mannan, Kazi Rozi, Dr Harisul Haque, Foyzul Alom Pappu, Kobi Hanif Khan and others.

On the inaugural programme, the council will urge the government to declare February 1 as the 'National Poetry Day'. At the same time, the council will also demand to set up separate cadre on cultural services in the Public Service Commission, said the speakers at the press conference.

Two seminars will be held alongside the poetry recitation by the registered poets.