United News of Bangladesh

The three-day unique art workshop on Cyanotype and Gum Bichromate Techniques ‘Alchemy of Light’ concluded on Sunday at Gallery Cosmos, shedding the spotlight on these two alternative photographic printmaking processes, each with unique characteristics and applications. Led by acclaimed artist and educator Juton Chandra Roy, Lecturer at the Department of Printmaking, Faculty of Fine Art, Dhaka University, the workshop brought together 10 Bangladeshi artists from diverse backgrounds: Rashed Sukhon, Naznine Akter, Alia Kamal, Farhana Islam, Sheikh Nahid Hasan, Sharmin Rahman Khan, Sumaita Afrin Shupty, Arup Mandal, Shuvra Talukder, and Bristy Pathan. The concluding day was graced by Cosmos Foundation Chairman, Cosmos Group and Gallery Cosmos Founder and UNB Emeritus Editor Enayetullah Khan; Former Adviser on Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh caretaker government and Cosmos Foundation President Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury; Gallery Cosmos Director Tehmina Enayet; Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) Director François Grosjean, Vice President of the Cosmos Group and Executive Director of Gallery Cosmos and UNB Nahar Khan, and Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Art Professors Dr Anisuzzaman Anis and Dr Sheikh Mohammad Rokonuzzaman, among others. 'Alchemy of Light': Gallery Cosmos hosts workshop by Juton Chandra Roy “Since the inception of our Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Atelier-71, a number of art enthusiasts from home and abroad have joined to learn, practice and showcase their artistic power on a regular basis. We organize multiple unique art events and artistic ventures in a calendar year, and this special workshop on Cyanotype and Gum Bichromate Techniques under the title ‘Alchemy of Light’ by acclaimed artist Juton Chandra Roy have been a priority project for us,” Gallery Cosmos Director Tehmina Enayet said on the occasion. “Talented artists from diverse background across the nation joined this workshop including prominent artists-art educators such as Professor Anis, Bishwajit Goswami and others; and they all have enthusiastically learned these relatively new artistic methods together in this workshop, and we will showcase the artworks from the workshop in a future exhibition soon,” she added. While exploring the workshop, Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) Director François Grosjean praised the initiative, saying it was “very innovative” to organize such a workshop. “From my perspective, it’s particularly commendable as it uses natural colours—creating a dialogue between art and ecology. With this initiative, you are touching something deeply connected to that link. Our imagination in art comes from nature, and it’s important to strengthen that bond,” he told UNB.

Dr Sarwar Ali has been appointed as the new President of Chhayanaut, one of Bangladesh’s most prominent cultural organisations, three months after the passing of the legendary cultural activist Sanjida Khatun. Dr Ali, who had been serving as the Executive President, was named President at Chhayanaut's first annual general meeting since Sanjida Khatun's death, held on Friday. Chhayanaut confirmed the selection of Dr Ali as its new President to UNB, and the Facebook page of Chhayanaut also updated the details of the announcement on Saturday. Chhayanaut's executive committee has also been reorganised during the meeting. Khairul Anam Shakil and Partha Tanvir Naved have been named as Vice Presidents, while Laisa Ahmed Lisa continues as General Secretary. The newly formed executive council also features Mofidul Haque, Shyamoli Nasrin Chowdhury, Nahas Khalil, Aminul Kawsar Dipu, Sahana Akhter Rahman Papri, Masuda Nargis Anam Kalpana, Zubair Yusuf, Gautam Sarkar, Jasmine Buli, and Semanti Manjari. Meanwhile, Saeeda Kamal and Ruchira Tabassum Naved have joined the Chhayanaut Board of Trustees, filling the positions left vacant by the recent passing of Nurunnahar Abedin and Sanjida Khatun. Shilpakala Academy hosts ‘Ananda Utsab’ celebrating Eid-ul-Azha Dr Sarwar Ali has been associated with Chhayanaut since 1967. In his professional life, he is a pioneer with his broad experience as a medical practitioner. Currently, Dr Ali serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Renata PLC. He is also serving as the Trustee of the Liberation War Museum, Chairman of the Board of Management at BIRDEM Hospital, and Vice President of the Bangladesh Diabetic Association. Sanjida Khatun, a leading figure in the Bengali cultural movement and Chhayanaut’s longstanding President since 1999, passed away on March 25 this year while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital. She had been in declining health for several years. Chhayanaut was founded in 1961 as a bold cultural response to the Pakistani regime’s attempt to suppress Bengali identity. The organisation was born in the wake of the Rabindranath Tagore birth centenary celebrations, which it had carried out despite official restrictions. Chhayanaut’s founding president was poet and activist Sufia Kamal. Following her death in 1999, Sanjida Khatun took over the role and led the organisation for more than two decades.

The Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Dhaka, in collaboration with North South University (NSU), recently hosted Kosovo Film Day 2025, a landmark cultural and academic event that drew wide acclaim and an impressive turnout. Held to commemorate the 26th Anniversary of Kosovo’s Liberation Day (12 June 1999), the event highlighted the power of film to reflect history, share human stories, and build bridges between nations. The university auditorium was filled for both sessions of the screenings, with more than 250 guests attending each session. The audience included representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, officials from various government departments, members of the diplomatic corps, honorary consuls, representatives of civil society organisations, business leaders and officers from the Diplomatic Security Division, as well as NSU faculty and students. In his opening remarks, Lulzim Pllana, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Bangladesh, underscored the deep significance of the event: “Kosovo’s journey to independence has been shaped by tremendous challenges, but also by an unshakable belief in peace, democracy, and human rights. Through art and education, we honour those who sacrificed and continue to build bridges of friendship.” Three critically acclaimed Kosovar films were screened at the event: Hive (Zgjoi) – directed by Blerta Basholli, based on the true story of Fahrije Hoti, a war widow who challenges patriarchal norms by establishing a small business in post-war Kosovo. The film received global acclaim, winning all major awards in its category at the Sundance Film Festival. 'Alchemy of Light': Gallery Cosmos hosts workshop by Juton Chandra Roy Cold November (Nëntor i Ftohtë) – directed by Ismet Sijarina, set during the civil resistance of the 1990s, it portrays the inner turmoil of a civil servant caught between integrity and survival. The Hero (Heroi) – directed by Luan Kryeziu, a post-war psychological drama that examines trauma, identity, and the often-silenced burden of survival for returning veterans. Each film provided a compelling lens into Kosovo’s past and present, offering the audience a rare cinematic glimpse into its social fabric and resilience. During the event, Ambassador Pllana also highlighted the evolving academic cooperation between Kosovo and Bangladesh. NSU is in the process of formalising academic partnerships with the University for Business and Technology (UBT) and AAB College in Kosovo, aiming to establish joint research projects, faculty and student exchanges, and collaborative initiatives in media and cultural studies. Prior to the screenings, Ambassador Pllana was formally received by Prof Dr Abdur Rob Khan, Acting Vice-Chancellor of NSU. Discussions focused on the mutual commitment to enhancing educational ties and exploring future exchanges that empower young people in both countries, and Professor Khan praised the Embassy’s initiative and expressed his institution’s willingness to further strengthen bilateral academic and cultural ties. “Events like Kosovo Film Day deepen our understanding of each other’s identities and histories. They open doors for long-term collaboration rooted in mutual respect and shared values,” he noted. The Embassy of Kosovo extends its sincere gratitude to the faculty, staff, and students of North South University, whose support made the event a remarkable success. Their enthusiasm, engagement, and curiosity brought added meaning to the occasion. Kosovo Film Day 2025 reaffirmed the transformative potential of cultural diplomacy and set a promising foundation for continued academic and people-to-people cooperation between Kosovo and Bangladesh.

Gallery Cosmos, the acclaimed artistic wing and printmaking studio of the Cosmos Foundation, has launched a three-day workshop titled ‘Alchemy of Light’, focusing on the historical Cyanotype and Gum Bichromate techniques. The workshop is being held at Cosmos Atelier71, Cosmos Centre, Malibagh, Dhaka, from June 27 to 29, between 10 am and 5 pm daily. Inaugurated on Friday, June 27 at 10 am, the workshop is being led by acclaimed artist and educator Juton Chandra Roy, Lecturer at the Department of Printmaking, Faculty of Fine Art, Dhaka University. It brings together 10 Bangladeshi artists from diverse backgrounds for an immersive experience in alternative photographic printmaking, blending Cyanotype and Gum Bichromate Techniques. The opening ceremony was graced by Gallery Cosmos Director Tehmina Enayet, along with eminent artist and Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Art Professor Dr Anisuzzaman, DU Faculty of Fine Art Assistant Professor at the Department of Drawing and Painting and Brihatta Art Foundation Co-founder Bishwajit Goswami, Gallery Cosmos Artistic Director Sourav Chowdhury, and the participating artists: Rashed Sukhon, Naznine Akter, Alia Kamal, Farhana Islam, Sheikh Nahid Hasan, Sharmin Rahman Khan, Sumaita Afrin Shupty, Arup Mandal, Shuvra Talukder, and Bristy Pathan. Speaking at the event, Tehmina Enayet reaffirmed the gallery's commitment to multidisciplinary experimentation. “Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Atelier 71 consistently organize unique and diverse initiatives. This time, we are excited to introduce this unique workshop on Cyanotype and Gum Bichromate—unconventional mediums that allow for vibrant, playful expressions. We believe audiences will enjoy these creations as much as the participants enjoyed making them,” she said, while acknowledging the support of the instructors and fondly remembered the late eminent artist Kalidas Karmakar, under whose vision the gallery was founded. Professor Anisuzzaman praised the workshop’s artistic merit and expressed his longstanding association with the gallery. “My relationship with Gallery Cosmos goes back many years, and I’ve had the pleasure of conducting two workshops here. Juton, the instructor, is my direct student - and I’ve witnessed his dedication to exploring new media, enriched further by his studies at Santiniketan. The works being produced here are a testament to his growth and vision,” he said. ‘Echoes of Existence’: Tarek Amin’s 2nd solo exhibition opens in London Highlighting the novelty of the medium, Bishwajit Goswami said, “This is a very engaging workshop where two techniques are being integrated in creative ways. While Cyanotype is somewhat familiar in our local context, Gum Bichromate remains relatively unknown. As Juton is both a printmaker and educator, and trained in these methods at Santiniketan where they are taken very seriously, this workshop offers an excellent opportunity to learn something new. While we usually focus on image creation, today we are delving into the process behind it—which is equally vital and rewarding. It’s encouraging to see young, emerging artists enjoying this collaborative experience. Gallery Cosmos has always supported such distinctive initiatives, with a strong setup and facilities.” Workshop facilitator Juton Chandra Roy elaborated on the vision behind the workshop, stating: “This workshop stems from the ongoing academic dialogue around alternative art practices, which are crucial. While traditional printmaking often depends on lab-based techniques using specialized tools and chemicals, access to such setups for emerging artists becomes limited after their graduation, and this pushes many artists to explore alternative media.”

Acclaimed Bangladeshi printmaker Tarek Amin’s second solo exhibition ‘Echoes of Existence’ is currently ongoing at the prestigious Spitalfields Studios Gallery in London, United Kingdom. The exhibition was inaugurated on June 20 and was joined by several guests of honour including Councillor Kamrul Hussain, Councillor for Whitechapel, Cabinet Member for Culture & Recreation, London Borough of Tower Hamlets; renowned academic and leading British Asian writer in the UK Dr Manzu Islam; prominent actor-singer Shampa Reza; former Director of Human Development Report Office and Poverty Division, UNDP.and economist-writer Dr Selim Jahan; poet and storyteller Shamim Azad, and David Lee Morgan, a performance poet and musician who has won the London, UK, and BBC Slam Poetry Championships. Mamitha on whether Jana Nayagan is Vijay’s last film as he enters politics Tarek Amin is a prominent printmaker from Bangladesh, whose works have been widely exhibited both nationally and internationally. With a focus on experimental print techniques and expressive visual storytelling, Tarek’s art explores themes of existence, resilience and the complexities of human life. His latest exhibition ‘Echoes of Existence’ presents a diverse collection of more than 60 artworks, showcasing the artist’s exploration across multiple mediums, including woodcut, sketch, acrylic and etching. Known for his evocative visual language and masterful craftsmanship, Tarek Amin’s works have earned him a significant place in the contemporary art scene of Bangladesh. Kuberaa: Dhanush’s Political Thriller Marches On With Its Elegant Box Office Journey This exhibition invites viewers to contemplate the transient nature of life and the layered stories embedded in Tarek’s works. His distinctive approach to printmaking, combined with a bold and experimental use of techniques, offers a profound reflection on human experiences, memory and identity. At the Spitalfields Studios Gallery, London - the exhibition will run until June 27. Arrangement of the exhibition was conducted by East London Academy of Art.  

From public parks to picturesque beaches, tens of thousands across India participated in mass yoga sessions on Saturday to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga. People in various Indian states gathered to perform stretches, breathing exercises, and traditional yoga poses. Military personnel also joined the celebrations—practicing yoga on naval ships in the Bay of Bengal and even in the extreme altitudes of the Siachen Glacier in the Himalayas. Countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia also planned similar observances. “I feel that yoga keeps us spiritually fit, mentally fit and helps us manage stress. That’s why I feel that people should take out at least 30 minutes every day for yoga to keep themselves fit,” said Rajiv Ranjan, who attended a yoga session in New Delhi. Yoga, one of India’s most recognizable cultural exports alongside Bollywood, has become a soft-power tool under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has promoted it globally as India steps into a more prominent role on the world stage. In 2014, Modi successfully lobbied the United Nations to declare June 21 as International Day of Yoga. This year’s theme was “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” Modi performed yoga in Visakhapatnam, a coastal city in southern India, where a large crowd had gathered. “Yoga leads us on a journey towards oneness with world,” he said as he joined others on colorfully arranged yoga mats for breathing drills and poses like backbends. “Let this Yoga Day mark the beginning of Yoga for humanity 2.0, where inner peace becomes global policy,” he added. Government officials, ministers, and military officers also shared images of themselves performing yoga poses on social media. In New Delhi’s Lodhi Gardens, a diverse crowd of participants followed instructions on stage as they practiced together. “Yoga for me is like balancing between inner world and outer world,” said Siddharth Maheshwari, a startup manager who took part in the event.

Capella Hotels and Resorts is set to make its eagerly awaited entry into Europe in 2027 by transforming a historic complex of former 12th-century convents in Florence, Italy. Where and What • Situated in the heart of Florence on Via San Gallo, the hotel will be within walking distance of both the Piazza della Libertà—marking the northern edge of the city’s historic center—and the iconic Duomo.• The site has previously housed the convents of Sant'Agata, San Clemente, and Santa Lucia di Camporeggi, once home to artistic talents like Arcangela Paladini.• The location has also served as a military hospital in its long history.• The design is being led by prestigious Italian architectural firms RPA and De Vita & Schulze, with interiors crafted by French design house Liaigre.• The project represents the revival of one of Florence’s most culturally significant and historic sites.• “Capella Florence represents a natural evolution of our vision, bringing the Capella experience to a city where culture, history, and artistry are deeply ingrained in everyday life,” said Cristiano Rinaldi, President of Capella Hotel Group. Over tourism forces The Louvre to shut doors What Capella Florence Will Comprise• The luxury hotel will feature 89 keys, including 33 suites, 56 guestrooms, and 10 exclusive residences blending classical and modern design, each with its own private entrance.• Guests will have access to two elegant dining venues—one dedicated to authentic Tuscan cuisine and the other to a sophisticated Japanese sushi omakase experience.• Additional offerings include a rooftop bar, a subterranean speakeasy wine vault, and Capella’s signature Living Room social space.• A standalone Clubhouse will house a 600-square-metre Capella Spa, complete with a hydro pool, fitness center, and wellness café.• The property will also feature an indoor amphitheatre, paying homage to the site's 800-year legacy of cultural and artistic expression. Following the success of its luxury hotels across Asia and the Pacific, Capella Hotels and Resorts is poised to bring its acclaimed hospitality to Europe with Capella Florence, welcoming guests beginning in 2027. Source: NDTV  

No more elephant and monkey acts. No more death-defying motorbike stunts. No more singing or acting on stage. Several hundred spectators still clapped constantly when acrobats with Dongchoon Circus Troupe, South Korea’s last and 100-year-old circus, twirled on a long suspended fabric, juggled clubs on a large, rotating wheel and rode a unicycle on a tightrope under the big top, reports AP. “As I recall the hardship that I’ve gone through, I think I’ve done something significant,” Park Sae-hwan, the head of the circus, said in a recent Associated Press interview. “But I also feel heavy responsibility because if Dongchoon stops, our country’s circus, one genre in our performing arts, will disappear. That’s the problem.” The golden age of circuses Founded in 1925, Dongchoon is Korea's oldest circus. In the golden ages of South Korean circuses in the 1960s when most households still had no TVs, Dongchoon travelled across the country, wowing audiences with then exotic animals like an elephant and a giraffe and a variety of shows including skits, comic talks, singing, dancing and magic shows. At its peak years, it had more than 200 artists, acrobats and other staff, according to Park. Like in many other countries, TVs and movies later syphoned off the audiences of Dongchoon and other circuses in South Korea. Their actors, singers and comedians moved to TV stations, and some became bigger stars. The advent of the internet, video games and professional sports were another blow. South Korean circuses also dropped animal shows that faced protests by animal rights campaigners. Now, Dongchoon is the only circus in South Korea after all its rivals went out of business. How Dongchoon survives Park, who joined Dongchoon in 1963, served as a show host and sometimes sang and acted in the circus's drama programs. He left the circus in 1973 and ran a lucrative supermarket business. In 1978, he returned to the circus industry by taking over Dongchoon, which was put up for sale after devastating typhoon damage. Over tourism forces The Louvre to shut doors Park, now 80, said he worried Dongchoon could disappear into history after seeing newspaper reports that its assets would be split into parts and sold. “I thought Dongchoon must not disappear. When we want to study the roots of our country's dramas, we should look back on the traces of Dongchoon. The same goes for the history of our other shows, traditional music performances and magic shows as well as circuses themselves,” Park said. Heo Jeong Joo, an expert at the All That Heritage Research Institute, also values highly the legacy of Dongchoon, which she said incorporated many traditional performers and artists who operated before its 1925 founding. “Its foundation exceeds 100 years. In a historical perspective, I think it should be designated as an intangible cultural asset,” Heo said. Park said he almost closed the circus in 2009 after his shows drew only 10-20 spectators each for several months during a widespread flu outbreak. It survived after local media reports sympathizing with the plight of Dongchoon prompted many people to flock and fully pack shows for weeks, he said. Dongchoon leaps again at its seaside big top Since 2011, Dongchoon has been performing at a big top at a seaside tourist area in Ansan, just south of Seoul. Its circus workers also frequently travel to other areas for temporary shows. Dongchoon officials said their business is doing relatively well, drawing several hundred spectators on weekdays and up to 2,000 on weekends at Ansan alone. Ansan official Sharon Ham said local tourism has been boosted by Dongchoon's presence. She said Dongchoon shows are popular with both older generations wanting to recall childhood memories of circuses and younger generations seeking something new. “It was a very impressive and meaningful circus,” Sim Chung-yong, a 61-year-old spectator, said after one show last week. “But I also thought about how much big pains and hardships those circus acrobats underwent to perform like this.” Dongchoon officials say they now offer only acrobatic performances and refrain from too-risky acts because many people don't like them any longer. Its all 35 acrobats are now Chinese, as a circus job is generally shunned by more affluent South Koreans who consider it too dangerous and low-paying. Park said he bought land at Ansan where he hopes to build a circus school to nurture South Korean circus artists. Xing Jiangtao, 37, has been working for Dongchoon since 2002 — initially as an acrobat and now as its performance director. He recalled that when he first came to South Korea, he and his Chinese colleagues all worked as assistants to Dongchoon's 50 South Korean acrobats but they've all left one by one. “Now, it's the only circus in South Korea, and I hope we will create good circus performances to show to spectators so that we can help Dongchoon exist for another 100 years," Xing said in fluent Korean.

The Louvre, the most-visited museum in the world, came to a halt on Monday as staff members went on strike, protesting what they described as unmanageable tourist crowds. Thousands of visitors hoping to view iconic works like the Mona Lisa faced long, stagnant lines outside the museum's famous glass pyramid entrance designed by I.M. Pei. The strike began unexpectedly after a routine staff meeting escalated into a walkout. Employees—including security personnel, ticket clerks, and gallery attendants—refused to report to their posts, citing unbearable working conditions due to excessive visitor numbers, which they said were causing significant physical stress and making it increasingly difficult to manage day-to-day operations. Japanese artist Takashi Murakami unveils major exhibit at Cleveland Museum of Art The Louvre Is Breaking Down The recent strike at the Louvre has brought renewed attention to a deepening internal crisis, reflecting concerns previously raised during staff walkouts in 2013 and 2019. However, this time, frustrations among employees appear to have reached a tipping point. The museum, which hosted more than 8.7 million visitors last year, is grappling with several critical issues. These include a lack of adequate rest areas for staff, limited on-site facilities, and an aging infrastructure that is increasingly ill-equipped to meet current demands. Louvre President Laurence des Cars has also raised alarms over the condition of the building itself. In an internal memo cited by The Washington Post, she warned that certain parts of the museum are no longer waterproof, and that extreme temperature fluctuations pose a threat to the priceless artworks. She described the present-day environment for both visitors and staff as “a physical ordeal.” The Opening Of The 'Louvre New Renaissance'The French President Emmanuel Macron recently announced a 10-year plan to fix the Louvre's problems. Macron unveiled a decade-long restoration initiative, the "Louvre New Renaissance," which promises a new entrance for the Mona Lisa - which alone draws around 20,000 visitors per day into the Salle des États, as reported by Associated Press. While the plan promises to address long-term improvements, it does not address the museum's and the staff's immediate needs. The staff called the action hypocritical as Macron promotes new projects, but little is being done to fix the problem at hand. São Paulo celebrates city art museum’s new Renoir exhibit The Louvre employees also don't want to wait years for relief. Workers argue that the state's operating subsidies for the museum have declined by over 20 percent in the last decade, but the number of visitors continues to increase.  One of the most iconic cultural spots is now caught in limbo, struggling to fix a problem that no one has a solution to, according to AP. With inputs from NDTV

Frederick Forsyth, the renowned British author best known for the political thriller The Day of the Jackal, has passed away at the age of 86 following a brief illness, his literary agent confirmed on Monday. Forsyth died peacefully at home early Monday morning, surrounded by his family, according to his agent Jonathan Lloyd. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of the world’s greatest thriller writers,” Lloyd said in a statement. Born in Kent, England, in 1938, Forsyth began his career as a pilot with the Royal Air Force before transitioning into journalism as a foreign correspondent. His coverage of the 1962 assassination attempt on French President Charles de Gaulle became the basis for The Day of the Jackal, which catapulted him to global acclaim upon its release in 1971. The novel was adapted into a 1973 film starring Edward Fox and more recently into a television series featuring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch. Shigeo Nagashima, known in Japan as 'Mr. Pro Baseball,' dies at 89 In a 2015 interview with the BBC, Forsyth revealed that he had also carried out assignments for the British intelligence agency MI6 during his reporting years, beginning with his coverage of the Nigerian civil war in the 1960s. Though unpaid, Forsyth said it was difficult to refuse intelligence requests during that era. “The Cold War was in full swing,” he remarked. Over his prolific career, Forsyth authored more than 25 titles, including The Afghan, The Kill List, The Dogs of War, and The Fist of God. His works have sold over 75 million copies worldwide, Lloyd noted. Bill Scott-Kerr, his publisher, announced that a posthumous release titled Revenge of Odessa—a sequel to Forsyth’s 1974 novel The Odessa File, co-written with thriller writer Tony Kent—will be published in August. ‘Duck Dynasty’ star Phil Robertson dies at 79 “Freddie’s thrillers have long set the standard in the genre and remain essential reading for fans around the world,” Scott-Kerr said. Source: With inputs from agency