Bangladesh’s Anan Mustafiz Wins Prestigious Queen’s Commonwealth Medal
Bangladeshi student Anan Mustafiz has earned international recognition for the second consecutive year in the Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition, organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society.
Anan, a Class VI student at Apple Tree International School in the capital, titled his essay The Rhythm of Identity. The essay focuses on cultural exchange among Commonwealth countries. He describes meeting a Jamaican girl named Amara on a rainy afternoon and her interest in learning about Bangladeshi culture and traditions. Through traditional foods such as rice, lentils, fried eggplant and hilsa, Anan introduces her to the country’s culture, history, agriculture, rivers and way of life.
In his essay, Anan also highlights the diversity of Bangla music, including Lalon songs, Rabindra Sangeet, Bhatiyali and Bhawaiya, as well as the history of the Language Movement. Amara is moved to learn that people in Bangladesh also enjoy the music of legendary Jamaican artist Bob Marley. Their conversation reflects the cultural ties between Bangladesh and Jamaica and the diversity of Commonwealth countries. Concluding the essay, Anan writes that sharing one’s culture with someone from another country can also help one rediscover one’s own country and heritage.
Reacting to the recognition, Anan told Art News that he was happy with the achievement but admitted feeling somewhat disappointed at receiving a bronze medal this year after winning gold last year. He said the result would motivate him to perform better next year. He submitted the essay in April while he was still in Class V, and the Royal Commonwealth Society later confirmed the result by email and sent him a digital copy of the certificate.
The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition is one of the world’s oldest international writing competitions. The Royal Commonwealth Society has organised it since 1883. This year, a total of 53,840 students from 56 Commonwealth member countries participated in the senior and junior categories.
Beyond writing, Anan secured first place in the quiz contest at the Smart Children Carnival in 2023, which drew 14,000 students.
He regularly writes stories and hosts a talk show titled Talk with Anan on his YouTube channel, Mugli’s World, featuring celebrities from Bangladesh and abroad.
Anan’s father, Rahman Mustafiz, is a senior journalist, while his mother, Kazi Tamanna, is a senior news presenter, visual artist, and publisher and editor of Art News.
