Pre-Conference Activities

10:15 to 10:45 am: Get Fit and Tiana with Gyana. Body tuning and stretching under the tree with Gyana Mella. Relieve stress, get into shape to enjoy the program with greater energy and concentration. Please wear relaxing clothes.

10:45 to 11:30 am: Hike with Josh Sucov through the woods. Enjoy the serene beauty of the countryside, take a rest whenever you want, and jot down your best thoughts. Do not forget to ask Josh about bee farming. Bring hiking shoes and bug spray.

11:35 to 12:00 pm: Yoga with Ora under the trees. Enjoy Hatha Yoga with Ora Sucov, an experienced yoga instructor and meditation expert. Six to eight in groups on the green grass under the blue sky.

12:00 to 1:30 pm: Preparation Time. Set up the tent if you are registered for camping, or go to designated rooms to get ready for the main event.

12:15 to 12:45 pm: Farm tour. Stroll through the farm where you can see grazing cows and horses, and may catch a glimpse of flying birds or deer.

12:30 to 1:30 pm: Swimming. Bring your bathing gear and enjoy swimming in the outdoor pond with a manufactured beach.

Program (Afternoon)

2:00 to 2:30 pm: Welcome address by Gyana Mella, convenor of the 4th Rockland Retreat. Inauguration by Dr. Mostofa Sarwar (Conference Theme: Saree). Bangladesh and Indian National Anthems by Andrew Shantz and Samina Khandaker. US National Anthem by Pratham Chakraborty, Shannon Young, and Jon Carlos Young.

2:30 to 2:45 pm: Chief Guest’s remarks by Subodh Sarkar. Conference Chair’s Remarks by Mohammad Nurul Huda.

2:45 to 3:15 pm: Authors’ introduction and reception by BILS’ Founder and President, Dr. Dhanonjoy Saha.

3:15 to 3:25 pm: Saree making as an evolving art form and its globalization by Mohammad Nurul Huda.

3:45 to 4:45 pm: Opening of the authors’ bookstalls, local crafts (made by Endeavor 21+), arts, and saree stalls by Dr. Muhammad Masum. Arts by Enza and Piera Lombardo.

4:45 to 5:00 pm: Threefold as a Living Being by Daniele Bieber. Rudolf Steiner philosophy by Andrea Pennington.

5:00 to 5:30 pm: Poetry and chhora in Bengali. Led by Farhana Elias Tuli. Featuring Benojir Sikdar, Faqir Elias, Pratham Chakraborty, and others. Chhora by Dhanonjoy Saha.

Program (Evening)

5:30 to 5:40 pm: Magic by Albert Rozario. A song by Aurora and Francesca Calafiore.

5:40 to 5:45 pm: History of Bengali Literature and Culture in North America by Lucky Khaleque Chowdhury, Dr. Dilip Nath, and Ferdous Khan.

5:45 to 6:15 pm: Poems and Chhora on saree led by Ashvini Persaud. My journey in a saree to Heathrow Airport by Karen Morris.

6:15 to 6:45 pm: Poetry – English, German, and Polish. Led by Mallika Dhar. Featuring Dave Buckner, Bella Freuman, Dr. Tapati Ray, William Tyler.

6:45 to 7:00 pm: Short Story and Essay led by Rimee Rumman. Featuring Iris Tejeda, Luz Cuevas, Poly Shahina, Dr. Mostofa Sarwar, and Dr. Muhammad Masum.

7:00 to 8:00 pm: Volunteer and participants reception at Threefold café. Dinner Talk: Healthy-living by Running, oil-free cooking and the secret of creative writing by Marathon Runner, Mohammad Nasir Sikder.

8:00 to 8:30 pm: Recitation, Song, Dance, and Music. Led by Dr. Shewli Roy. Sarod by Kamal Sabri. Song by Ali Sufi. Poetry by Suma Rozario. Songs by Daphna Stern, Bithi Saha, Udichi Shilpi Gosthi, and others.

8:30 to 9:00 pm: Open mic and adda (social mingling) led by Poly Shahina.

Morning Session

8:45 to 9:30 am: Breakfast

10:30 to 11:00 am: Welcome remarks by Dr. Muhammad Masum. National anthems by Dr. Sabita Das and others. Poetry reading by Rockland Poets in English. Conference Theme Lectures: Saree in World Literature and Culture by Dr. Mostofa Sarwar, Subodh Sarkar, and Mohammad Nurul Huda. Keynote Address by Juan Pablo Mobili.

11:00 to 11:20 am: Comparison of literary development in Bengal and America in the last 250 years by Dhanonjoy Saha, Dr. Sezan Mahmud, and Dr. Alok Boandapadhayay. Recitation by youngsters. Talk on saree and recitation by Titania Gupta.

11:20 to 11:30 am: Introduction to selected books to be displayed in authors’ stalls. Featuring Anuradha Mahapatra, Ashvini Persuad, Benojir Sikder, Bonani Sinha, and others.

11:30 to 12:30 pm: Book and crafts stalls reopen by Ibrahim Choudhury. Social and photo session.

12:30 to 12:55 pm: Ex-tempo Writing in the Woods Competition (Boner Majhe Lekhar Khonje). Led by Dr. Mallika Dhar.

Afternoon Session

1:00 to 2:00 pm: Lunch and social hours. Enjoy organic American food sourced locally.

2:00 to 2:10 pm: How to prep your mind for writing your best by Dr. Dipa Saha.

2:10 to 2:40 pm: Poetry and chhora. Led by Poly Shahina. Featuring Dr. Dipa Saha, Bella Freuman, and others.

2:40 to 2:55 pm: Introduction of Evergreen Circle and Distressed Children and Infants International. Followed by Sarod performance by Ostad Kamal Sarabi.

2:55 to 3:25 pm: Articles, essays, poems, and stories. Led by Ashim Saha.

3:00 to 3:45 pm: Hearing from special needs participants of Endeavor 21+ Writing Program (led by Clair Pennington) and Special needs talents showcase (led by Galilee Damiao).

3:45 to 4:00 pm: Reflection on last year’s program by Bonny Mukherjee. Talk on Saree by Poet Subodh Sarkar.

4:00 to 4:30 pm: Conference Chairs Remarks and Award Ceremony (BILS US Award & Boner Majhe Lekhar Khonje Award).

4:30 to 5:10 pm: Closing ceremony: song, dance, music, and recitation led by Mun Mun Saha. Dance by Anup Das Dance Academy. Vote of Thanks by Dhanonjoy Saha.