OITIJ-JO

Oitij-jo will be the UK’s most vibrant showcase yet of the creative talents of Bangladesh and the British-Bangladeshi community.

OITIJ-JO Collective is a 'not-for-profit' community organisation that creates a platform for and champions Bangla creativity through public events across London, including in the Southbank Centre, Royal Festival Hall and at RichMix. It will offer a lively and engaging public programme of exhibitions, live events, talks and workshops, and will act as a bustling market-place for rewarding new tradin

g partnerships for goods, materials, services, skills and talent. WHY:

to strengthen the brand that is both British and Bangladeshi

to add value to the creative economies of Bangladesh and the UK in a positive manner through sharing and exchanging of knowledge, resources, products, creativity and services

to create momentum between Bangladeshis and British Bangladeshis to work together on a broader, strategic and collaborative framework

This programme is being delivered by:
Paraa
BBF/UK
Culturepot Global
Enamul Hoque

and is currently being supported by:
Openvizor (UK)
Yumyum, Stoke Newington (UK)
Personally supported by the Bangladesh High Commissioner (UK)
Gandhi Foundation (UK)
Paraa (Bangladesh team)
Bangladesh Brand Forum (Bangladesh)
Shahidul Alam/ Drik (Bangladesh)
SME Foundation (Bangladesh)
Jute Diversification and Promotion Centre (JDPC) (Bangladesh)

14/02/2026

FEB + MARCH EVENTS AT OITIJ-JO COLLECTIVE ✨ We’ve got a powerful line-up of gatherings, workshops and conversations coming up. Join us in community this season:

Friday 27th February 2026 | 5:00PM–8:00PM IFTAR GATHERING #1: Fundraising with Restless Beings 📍 Nunnery Gallery, 181 Bow Road, London Exhibition tour of The Ground Beneath Me + snacks for those breaking the Ramadan fast.

Wednesday 4th & 18th March 2026 | 12:00PM–2:00PM Stitching Sisterhood – Free to Attend 📍 Common Room, Export Building, E14 2BE Collaborative textile workshops for International Women’s Day (Give to Gain). Transform scraps into wall hangings. Delivered with Republic.

Friday 6th March 2026 | 5:00PM–8:00PM IFTAR GATHERING #2: Bengali Voices & Photo Archive 📍 Nunnery Café, 181 Bow Road, London Exhibition with Four Corners + communal dinner by OITIJ-JO Kitchen.

Friday 13th March 2026 | 5:00PM–8:00PM IFTAR GATHERING #3: Bangladeshi Diaspora Discussion 📍 Nunnery Café, 181 Bow Road, London Community discussion on Bangladesh, heritage & archives + communal dinner.

Wednesday 25th March 2026 | 5:30PM–8:30PM Threads of Liberation – Free to Attend 📍 Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Library Women’s History Month event + Nakshi Kantha embroidery workshop.

We hope to see you there 💚 Follow the links in our bio for more information on how to take part.

16/01/2026

💌Valentine’s Bengali Feast: Hands On Cooking Class and Shared Dinner

Spend Valentine’s Day cooking together and sharing a meal. This is a hands-on Bengali cooking class where you will make a full feast and then sit down to eat it with the group.
The menu focuses on rich, comforting dishes made with warming spices and bold flavours, the kind of food that is meant to be shared. You will be cooking side by side, tasting as you go, and finishing the night around the table with what you have made.
It is perfect for a date night, a group of friends, or anyone who wants to do something a little different for Valentine’s Day. 💗Date: Wednesday 11th February 💗Time: 6.30 PM💗Address: Arts Admin 28 Commercial St, London E1 6AB💗Tickets: Linked in our bio

See you there💕

12/01/2026

🌙 Iftaar for Beginners: South Asian Cooking Class and Sit Down Dinner

Ever wondered what people actually eat during Ramadan? Or what festive South Asian food looks like beyond the usual restaurant dishes? This evening is a chance to ﬁnd out by cooking it and eating it together.
We will be making and sharing the foods traditionally served to break the fast, including Piyaju, Beguni, Spiced Chickpeas with Puffed Rice, Jhaal Muri, Dates, Khichuri, Sweet Jilapi, and Rose Sherbet. Some items will be cooked together and others will be ready so you can see how a real Iftaar table comes together.
This is a hands on cooking class taught by the head chef at followed by a shared Iftaar meal. You will learn how these dishes are made and enjoy them with the group after cooking.
Come curious and hungry. Date: Wednesday 4th February Time: 6.30 PMAddress: Arts Admin 28 Commercial St, London E1 6ABTickets: Linked in our bio

🥘🍉🍜🥕🥙

04/12/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our session last week. It was such a joy to cook together, share stories, and sit down for a meal made with so much care.

We hope to bring these sessions back soon. If you want more cooking workshops, sewing socials, or community dinners, let us know. Your messages and enthusiasm help shape what we plan next.

We are also available for private bookings for larger groups. If you’re planning something for work, a birthday, a party, or any special gathering, we can create a tailored hands on Bengali cooking experience with a shared meal at the end.

Thank you again to everyone who came, cooked, mended, and made it such a beautiful evening. We can’t wait to welcome you back. 🥙🥕🥖🍅🦐🥗

24/11/2025

FINAL CALL 📣📣📣
This Wednesday, November 26, at our final Stich & Spoon Social, we’re serving the ultimate Bhorta Feast 🍛✨ and we are almost at full capacity ⚠️.

Imagine silky mashed butternut squash with a hint of smokiness, tender aloo bursting with flavor, tangy tomato that excites your taste buds, and comforting daal all paired with steaming fluffy bhaat 🍚. Every bite is pure Bengali comfort 💛.

This is your last chance to join the celebration 🌾🌶️. Don’t miss out, come experience the magic of Bhorta before the series comes to a close.

Tickets linked in bio! We only have a few spots left for this one 💜

19/11/2025

Next Wednesday the 26th is our final Stitch and Spoon Social, and we’re closing the series with one of the most comforting meals in Bengali cooking: a full Bhorta Feast

If you’ve never had bhorta before, imagine vegetables transformed into something deeply flavourful and soothing. Mashed, seasoned, sometimes smoky, sometimes spicy, sometimes bright and tangy. Next week you’ll make butternut squash bhorta, aloo bhorta, tomato bhorta, daal, and steaming rice. It’s simple, honest food that tastes like home.

Here’s a look at what we cooked last week: a warming seasonal vegetable curry with butternut squash and tender Choi Pitha dumplings simmered in a savoury stew. Such a lovely session with an amazing group.

If you’ve been thinking about joining us, this is your last chance for a while. Come learn something new, meet great people, and enjoy a meal.
Tickets are in our bio.
 We’d love to share this final evening with you 💛

11/11/2025

We have a couple more spaces available for tomorrow’s Stitch and Spoon Social, our weekly Bengali cooking class and supper club at hosted by .

It’s our most ambitious and most authentic menu yet! Scroll to the last slide to see for yourself 🤩🤩

Come join us for dinner 🥘

Tickets are available through the link in our bio.

See you tomorrow!

Address

28 Commercial Street
London
E1 6AB

Website

http://www.oitij-jo.org/

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