Wednesday marks International Mother Language Day, and members of the Bengali community came together for a celebration of ethnic heritage.

The day aims to celebrate people from every country speaking their native tongues, but has a special place for those from Bangladesh. The holiday’s date of Feb. 21 commemorates the 1952 uprising in present-day Bangladesh where multiple students were killed fighting to get their language, Bangla, officially recognized by the government.

Local leaders and members of the community came together along Starling Avenue to play music, bring flowers and follow Bengali traditions.

An allpona is put on display, an artwork that takes hours to make and is made for every festival and celebration in Bengali culture.