United News of Bangladesh

The July Mass Uprising Memorial Museum has published a book documenting the sacrifices of nine Sanatan faith followers killed during the 2024 mass uprising. Titled 'Bisarjan: Sanatan Martyrs of the July Mass Uprising', the book was released on Monday ahead of Sharadiya Durga Puja, paying tribute to the martyrs from the Hindu community. The nine martyrs are Shree Shuvo Sheel, Riya Gop, Hridoy Chandra Tarua, Saikat Chandra Dey, Tonoy Chandra Das, Ripon Chandra Sheel, Rudra Sen, Dipto Dey and Ganga Charan Rajbongshi. They included students, children and working-class people. The death of six-year-old Riya Gop during the uprising sparked widespread outrage across the country. She was fatally shot while playing on the rooftop of her residence.

The 2026 China Jingdezhen International Ceramic Expo opened on Sunday in Jingdezhen, a city in east China's Jiangxi Province known as the "porcelain capital", drawing more than 1,000 professional buyers from home and abroad. The five-day event showcases various aspects of the ceramic industry, covering the entire industrial chain, domestic and international markets, and the application of digital technology across an exhibition area of 140,000 square metres. Exhibitors from more than 19 countries, including Spain, Germany and Japan, are taking part in the expo. Themed exhibition zones highlight creative design, smart ceramic manufacturing, international brands and ceramic-producing cities. The 2026 standards for the "Jingdezhen Made" regional brand and the city's digital culture and tourism platform were unveiled at the opening ceremony. On July 25, the Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, filling a longstanding gap in the list's representation of porcelain heritage and becoming China's 61st World Heritage site. The sites reflect the handicraft porcelain industry system that developed in Jingdezhen between the 10th and 19th centuries. Today, the city's ceramic industry chain employs more than 100,000 people, while the comprehensive division-of-labour system that contributed to its historical success remains active. First held in 2004, the expo has steadily expanded its international reach and developed into a comprehensive platform for exhibitions and trade, cultural exchanges and investment cooperation. Jingdezhen, which has a population of more than 1.6 million, recorded a net population inflow of 136,000 over the past decade. More than half of those who have established long-term businesses in the city come from outside Jiangxi Province, including a notable number from overseas.

Bangladeshi artist and printmaker Kalidas Karmakar has been remembered on his seventh death anniversary, honouring a creative legacy that helped shape the development of modern art and printmaking in the country. Renowned for his experimental approach to art, Karmakar explored painting, printmaking, sculpture, installation and mixed media throughout his career, constantly pushing the boundaries of artistic expression through innovative techniques and unconventional materials. Fondly known as ‘Kali Da’ in the country's art sphere, he earned the distinction of being called Bangladesh’s ‘Alluvial Artist’, reflecting his deep connection with the country’s landscape, culture and artistic traditions. Born in Faridpur on January 10, 1946, Karmakar completed his preliminary degree in fine arts at the Institute of Fine Arts, Dhaka University, in 1964 before graduating from the Government College of Fine Arts and Crafts in Kolkata in 1969. His artistic practice evolved through decades of experimentation, with printmaking remaining one of his most significant areas of contribution. He explored techniques including etching, aquatint and viscosity printing, helping expand the possibilities of the medium in Bangladesh. Beyond printmaking, his work encompassed a wide range of materials and forms, often blurring the distinctions between traditional artistic disciplines. His distinctive visual language and willingness to experiment established him as an influential figure in the country’s modern art movement. Karmakar’s artistic journey extended beyond Bangladesh, with his works exhibited across South Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the United States. His achievements were recognised with the Shilpakala Padak in 2016 and the Ekushey Padak in 2018. A significant part of his legacy also lies in his longstanding association with Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Atelier-71, where he served as an adviser and played a pivotal role in developing facilities for printmaking. He designed the studio’s interior and was closely involved in setting up its printmaking equipment. The studio was established to provide artists with access to specialised machinery and facilities that were then scarce in Dhaka, enabling them to explore different printmaking techniques. His contribution extended beyond the studio’s physical infrastructure. Kalidas Karmakar envisioned an artist residency programme that would give printmakers a shared space to work independently, exchange ideas and develop their artistic practices. He remained closely involved with Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Atelier-71 until his death on October 18, 2019, serving as a lifelong Adviser and helping shape the institutions’ commitment to artistic experimentation and the development of printmaking in Bangladesh. “Today marks the seventh death anniversary of Ekushey Padak-winning eminent Bangladeshi artist and printmaker Kalidas Karmakar, our beloved Kali Da. His contributions to the establishment of Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Atelier-71, as well as to the arts in Bangladesh, particularly printmaking, are undeniable. On this day, Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Atelier-71 respectfully remember Bangladesh’s ‘Alluvial Artist’,” Sourav Chowdhury, Artistic Director of Gallery Cosmos, told UNB. Kalidas Karmakar died in Dhaka on October 18, 2019, at the age of 73, leaving behind a diverse body of work and a lasting influence on Bangladesh’s modern art and printmaking.

The iconic white Chinese takeout container-a folded trapezoid cardboard pail featuring a wire handle and red pagoda graphic-is a quintessentially American creation blending immigrant history, innovation, and convenience. Its design dates back to 1894, when inventor Frederick Weeks Wilcox patented a leak-resistant, folded paper pail originally created for carrying oysters. Meanwhile, Chinese immigrants arriving during the mid-1800s Gold Rush and railroad era established Chinatowns and foundational Americanized Chinese eateries. Following World War II, Chinese restaurants proliferated beyond chop suey and chow mein, establishing a reputation for affordable and accessible takeout, according to Michelle King, a history professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In the 1970s, packaging company Fold-Pak added the trademark red pagoda design and stylized lettering, cementing the container as a Chinese American cultural staple akin to the Italian pizza box. Today, while takeout packaging varies and holds diverse cuisines, the classic oyster pail endures as a cultural symbol-even immortalized as the universal "takeout" emoji.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) organised a remembrance programme on Saturday to honour the legacy of Lalon Sai, highlighting his philosophy of equality, humanity and respect for people beyond religious and social divisions. The programme marking the 136th death anniversary of the mystic Baul saint was held at the National Theatre Hall at 6 pm, under the patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Addressing the event as the chief guest, State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayyam MP stressed the importance of practising equality and respecting individual freedom of belief. Referring to recent incidents of religious extremism, he said people should have the freedom to practise or not practise religion without being subjected to insult or humiliation. “Lalon’s central teaching is a sense of equality, and that is what we should practise,” he said. Speaking as the chair of the programme, Md Harun-or-Rashid, joint secretary and Director General (additional charge) of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, said Lalon’s life and spiritual practice presented a vision of a humane society where a person’s greatest identity is being human. “Lalon taught us that dignity lies not in one’s birth or identity, but in humanity, conscience and deeds,” he said. He added that Lalon’s philosophy was not merely part of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage but also an important guide to social and moral renewal. Yasmin Begum, secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, attended the programme as a special guest, while artist and researcher Professor Dr Ahmed Shakil Hasmi delivered the keynote address. Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Ujjal, Cultural Affairs Secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and Zakir Hossain Rokon, Member Secretary of the Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS), also spoke as special guests. The second part of the programme featured performances of Lalon songs by prominent folk and Baul artistes. Popular singer Latif Shah opened the musical segment with Lalon’s ‘Doinno Gaan’, followed by Nasrin Sultana Beauty’s rendition of ‘Krishna Preme Pora Deho’. Aleya Begum also performed Lalon songs. Biman Chandra Biswas sang ‘Ami Opar Hoye Boshe Achhi’, while Mousumi Iqbal performed ‘Helay Helay Din Boye Jay’. Veteran folk singer Kangalini Sufia presented ‘Dekha Diyeo He Rasul’, followed by Kaniz Khandaker Mitu’s rendition of ‘Ghore Keba Jage Keba Ghumay’. The programme continued with performances by Suman Roy, Pakhi Bauliana and Sultana Zaman Jochhona. The event concluded with collective performances of ‘Dhanya Dhanya Boli Tare’, ‘Amar Ghor Khanay Ke Biraj Kore’ and ‘Milon Hobe Koto Dine’ by vocal artistes of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.  

Will you get the job you applied for? What will your medical test results reveal? And what does that unusually vague email from your boss actually mean? Uncertainty and change have always been difficult to manage, although some people find them more challenging than others, said Michel Dugas, a psychology professor at the University of Québec in Outaouais. The rapid pace of change in politics, technology and other areas of life has added to these challenges. Dugas said everyone can benefit from learning to feel more comfortable with the unknown. “Uncertainty is a fundamental part of life, whether it's our relationships, our health, our finances,” he said. “Learning to be able to deal with not knowing is a fundamental skill for quality of life.” With practice, people can learn not only to tolerate uncertainty but also to welcome it. After all, Dugas noted, life could become rather dull if everything were predictable. Why Uncertainty Makes Us UncomfortableDiscomfort with uncertainty varies from person to person and depends on the situation, said Nick Carleton, a psychology professor at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan, Canada. For example, finding an unopened box at a party surrounded by balloons, friends and the smell of cake might create excitement. Discovering the same box unattended at a subway station, however, could provoke fear. Some caution about the unknown is a natural survival instinct. Carleton explained that people who were excessively attracted to uncertainty might have taken dangerous risks, while those who feared it too much might have missed essential opportunities to survive. Smartphones May Reduce Our Ability to Handle the UnknownJeroen van Baar, a psychiatric epidemiology researcher at the Boston University School of Public Health, and his colleagues reviewed 137 studies conducted since the 1990s. The studies used the same measurement scale to assess intolerance of uncertainty among college students. Intolerance of uncertainty refers to an unusually strong negative reaction to situations in which the outcome is unknown, beyond what the circumstances might reasonably justify. The researchers found that average intolerance-of-uncertainty scores had increased considerably. One possible explanation is the widespread use of smartphones, which has reduced everyday opportunities to practise dealing with uncertainty. People can now use navigation apps to avoid getting lost, notify others when they are running late and instantly settle arguments about minor facts. Van Baar said having mobile phones readily available allows people to discover almost anything immediately. As a result, they may have fewer opportunities to learn that not knowing what will happen next is manageable and that they can cope without immediate answers. Learn to Live Without Immediate AnswersWhen discomfort with uncertainty develops into anxiety that disrupts everyday life, professional help may be necessary, Dugas said. Treatment can include behavioural experiments that allow people to experience uncertainty in a safe and controlled manner. Dugas described a patient who was extremely anxious about academic grades. The patient was instructed to wait 48 hours before checking an examination result already available online. Although the patient initially experienced intense distress, the anxiety decreased significantly by the second day. Dugas explained that people can develop new ways of thinking and responding only by experiencing the situations they fear. Smaller exercises can also help. These might include leaving a phone at home for a short period or making a relatively unimportant decision without seeking reassurance from other people. Ryan Jane Jacoby, a clinical psychologist and researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital, advised people facing genuine problems to resist the temptation to eliminate every uncertainty. When travel plans are disrupted, for example, people should first determine whether the problem is within their control and can be resolved. If it can be addressed, they should identify three or four realistic alternatives, compare the advantages and disadvantages of each, and choose the most suitable option. After making the decision, they should avoid repeatedly questioning whether another choice would have been better. Jacoby noted that there is probably no perfect decision. When a situation cannot be changed, she recommended moving away from problem-solving and towards acceptance. Mindfulness exercises or engaging activities can help people focus on the present instead of becoming trapped in repetitive, anxious thoughts. Approach Surprises With a Child’s CuriosityAccepting uncertainty does not mean overlooking genuine dangers, denying disappointment or pretending that every setback is beneficial. In her book Comfortable with Uncertainty, prominent American Buddhist teacher Pema Chödrön describes practitioners as warriors of nonaggression who accept that they cannot know what will happen next. “We can never avoid uncertainty,” she writes. “This not-knowing is part of the adventure.” Carleton advised people to acknowledge their negative emotions while remaining open to the possibility that something valuable could emerge from an unexpected disruption. The goal is not to assume that every surprise will produce a positive outcome but to remain receptive to different possibilities. Jacoby suggested recalling how children often respond to unexpected events with excitement rather than fear. Children tend to welcome surprises, she said, whereas adults increasingly worry about uncertainty and imagine numerous possible negative outcomes as they grow older. Dugas emphasised that learning to accept the unpredictable nature of the universe is essential to emotional well-being. People who cannot tolerate the fact that life is uncertain, he warned, may find it much harder to achieve happiness and maintain a good quality of life.

A discussion and cultural event titled 'Nazrul Borshe Aborton-er Nibedon: Chirodiner Nazrul' was held on Friday evening at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), aiming to highlight the timeless literature, music, and non-communal spirit of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam among the youth. Organized by the cultural organization 'Aborton' to mark 'Nazrul Year', the program brought together prominent academics, cultural personalities, and dignity figures to celebrate the poet's multidimensional legacy. State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayyam joined the event as the chief guest, while Director General of Bangladesh Television (BTV) Kazi Jesin, Jahangirnagar University Bengali Department Professor Dr Shamima Sultana, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University Professor Dr Md Azharul Sheikh, and popular singer Nazmun Munira Nancy attended as special guests.

Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) has launched 'Listening Beyond Sight', a solo photography exhibition by artist Arif Abdullah, offering visitors a unique exploration of creativity that transcends conventional visual boundaries. The exhibition opened on Friday evening at La Galerie, Dhanmondi. Md Abul Bashar, Strategy Consultant at Abul Khair Group of Companies, attended the opening ceremony as the special guest. Arif Abdullah, who began his artistic journey with a passion for photography during his school years, has developed a multidisciplinary practice that spans music, songwriting, and sound design. His artistic trajectory underwent a significant transformation while studying Fine Arts, when he was diagnosed with Choroideremia, a rare genetic condition causing progressive vision loss.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) will organise a remembrance programme on Saturday to mark the 136th death anniversary of mystic folk philosopher Lalon Sai, featuring discussions on his life and philosophy and performances of his songs by prominent Lalon singers. The programme, organised under the patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, will begin at 6 pm at the National Theatre Hall of the academy. Lalon’s songs and philosophy transcend divisions of caste and religion, conveying a message of humanity that continues to resonate in struggles for justice and against social prejudices and religious discrimination. Yasmin Begum, secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, will attend the programme as the chief guest, while artist and researcher Prof Dr Ahmed Shakil Hasmi will deliver the keynote discussion. Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid, joint secretary and director general (additional charge) of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, will preside over the event. The second segment will begin with a group performance by the academy’s vocal artists, followed by Lalon songs performed by noted folk singers including Kangalini Sufia, Aleya Begum, Latif Shah, Nasrin Sultana Beauty, Sumon Roy, Kaniz Khandaker Mitu, Biman Chandra Biswas, Pakhi Bauliana and Mousumi Iqbal. Artists from the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sanskritik Sangstha (JASAS) will also perform at the event. The discussion and musical performances, highlighting Lalon’s life, philosophy and humanist ideals, will be open to all.

The Berlin Philharmonic and its chief conductor Kirill Petrenko are preparing to leave their home concert hall for several years as the venue undergoes a major renovation expected to run from 2032 to 2040. The orchestra has performed at the Philharmonie since 1963. The hall, designed by Hans Scharoun, has 2,410 seats arranged in terraces and is known for its distinctive acoustics. “It’s a huge challenge to have a different stage for us because the Philharmonie has this unique sound,” Petrenko said during a recent online news conference ahead of the orchestra’s four US concerts and its first South American tour in 25 years. The orchestra is considering using hangars at the former Tempelhof Airport in Berlin as a temporary venue. The airport closed in 2008. The renovation and temporary hall are estimated to cost 1.15 billion euros ($1.28 billion), while the German federal government has pledged 225 million euros ($251 million). The orchestra plans to move after celebrating its 150th anniversary in the first half of 2032. Petrenko said the orchestra was negotiating to find a suitable venue and develop the acoustics needed for its large ensemble. He described the task as a major challenge but said a preliminary decision could come soon. Five chief conductors in seven decades Petrenko became chief conductor in the 2019-20 season, following Wilhelm Furtwängler, Herbert von Karajan, Claudio Abbado and Simon Rattle. The orchestra opened Carnegie Hall’s season last week, marking its 26th US visit since 1955 and its third under Petrenko, 54, who holds an open-ended contract. It then travelled to Bogotá, Colombia, São Paulo and Buenos Aires, Argentina, for performances running through Oct 23. Its last South American tour was in 2000. The Berlin Philharmonic has a global audience, with more than 45,000 active subscribers to its Digital Concert Hall. Unlike the Vienna Philharmonic, which has no music director and performs under guest conductors, the Berlin orchestra is led by a single chief conductor. Andrea Zietzschmann, its general manager since 2017, said each conductor had left a distinct mark on the orchestra. She said Abbado encouraged a more collective approach, while Rattle brought a different musical perspective, expanding the repertoire from early Baroque works to modern music. Petrenko, like Abbado and Rattle, works under the legacy of Karajan, who led the orchestra from 1955 to 1989 and left behind widely acclaimed recordings. Petrenko said he was not afraid of comparisons with Karajan. He continues to study recordings and orchestral parts associated with his predecessor, learning his bowings and dynamics before deciding how the music should sound today. A career shaped by Germany and Austria Born in 1972 in Omsk, Russia, then part of the Soviet Union, Petrenko moved to Austria with his family at the age of 18. He conducted at the Vienna Volksoper from 1997 to 1999 before serving as music director of Germany’s Meininger State Theater from 1999 to 2002, Berlin’s Komische Oper from 2002 to 2007 and Munich’s Bavarian State Opera from 2013 to 2021. Petrenko said listening to older Berlin Philharmonic recordings allowed him to recognise differences in the styles of previous conductors, including Furtwängler’s approach, Karajan’s style, Abbado’s clarity and Rattle’s rhythmic strength. He encourages the musicians to keep refining their performances rather than settling for a finished result. Noah Bendix-Balgley, one of the orchestra’s first concertmasters, said before a Carnegie Hall performance that Petrenko continually pushes the musicians to improve. He said the conductor’s approach inspires them to keep exploring the music, composers and art form, regardless of changes in the world, their careers or musical trends.