United News of Bangladesh

The 2025 SCO (the Shanghai Cooperation Organization) Film Festival will take place from July 3 to 7 in Yongchuan District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, highlighting the latest advancements in film technology and production across member states, local authorities announced Monday. The upcoming film festival aims to promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between SCO member states, the municipal government said at a press conference. The event will feature 11 major activities, including film screenings, cooperation forums, a film technology exhibition, and a gala concert. Ten awards will be presented at the event, including "best film" and "best director," according to Qin Zhengui, deputy director of the China Film Administration. The organizing committee has received 27 film submissions from SCO member states, with a curated selection to be screened during the event. Yongchuan, located in the western part of Chongqing, has emerged as a burgeoning hub for film technology innovation in recent years. The district is now home to over 100 film and TV enterprises and boasts cutting-edge production facilities, including a 3,000-square-meter virtual production stage and a 5,000-square-meter standardized soundstage. 

Marking the holy occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) organised a festive cultural programme titled 'Ananda Utsab' on Friday night at the Nandan Mancha of the academy premises in the capital’s Segunbagicha. Supported by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the event featured an array of musical performances and festive activities. Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Md Mofidur Rahman was present as a special guest at the programme, alongside BSA Secretary and Acting Director General Mohammad Wares Hossain. The event was inaugurated with a welcome speech by Nava Mehjabeen Rahman, director of the Music, Dance, and Recitation Department at BSA. The cutural programme commenced with a qawwali performance by Samir Kawal and his troupe, followed by solo musical renditions by popular singers Atia Anisa and Parsha Mahjabeen Purna. ‘Taandob’ is Raihan Rafi’s best film yet: Shakib Khan Renowned singer Angel Noor performed a series of songs including 'Jodi Abar', 'Til', and 'Amay Proshno Kore'. She was followed by noted artist Mithun Chakra, who entertained the audience with popular tracks such as 'Swapno Jabe Bari', 'Shada Shada Kala Kala', and 'Ore Shampan Wala'.

Home decor's got a split personality this year: Call it “city glow” and “cottage flow.” At the two international design fairs that I attended — Maison et Objet in France, Ambiente in Germany — acres of exhibition booths were full of Art Deco furnishings, island-vibe rattan seating and lighting, and lots of emphasis on sustainably produced materials. But a couple of aesthetics drawing crowds were especially interesting. Capturing the ‘city glow’ One was an exuberant urban vibe I’m nicknaming “city glow.” It’s full of highlighter-hued throw pillows, edgy surrealism, street art and hefty, Brutalist-style furniture — lots of sharp-cornered steel or concrete consoles and lamps that loomed over rooms — as well as rugs and wallcoverings covered in graffiti-style motifs or swaths of vibrant color. Gretchen Rivera, an interior designer in Washington, D.C., sees it as a look that resonates especially with “younger generations who grew up with digital influences. There’s surrealist art, energetic colors and playful, almost toy-like design.” Interior designer Anton Liakhov in Nice, France, agrees: “For a generation clamoring for creativity and self-expression, it’s loud and in-your-face.” For surface colors, look at Benjamin Moore’s spicy orange Bryce Canyon or the bubblegum-pink Springtime Bloom. Daydream Apothecary has a whole collection of neon wall paints for intrepid decorators. Sisters Ana and Lola Sánchez use art as a bold form of self-expression at their luxe brand Oliver Gal, in South Florida. It's known for its handcrafted, statement-making pieces — including large acrylic gummy bears, graphic surfboards and wall art inspired by fashion, pop culture and modern surrealism. The result is a vibrant, edgy aesthetic. A new collection, Rococo Pop, introduces rococo-inspired frames in high-gloss acrylics paired with playful graphic imagery. “We wanted to take the opulence of 18th century rococo,” notes Ana Sánchez, “and give it a cheeky, pop-art punch.” “These frames are like little rebels in ballgowns — elegant, over-the-top and totally unexpected,” adds Lola Sánchez. The style, her sister says, “celebrates contrast. Old World charm meets modern mischief.” Following the ‘cottage flow’ The other impressive decor style at the design fairs was very different from the urban look. I’m calling this one “cottage flow,” and Liakhov describes it as evoking a “peaceful sanctuary, where you can play around with textures that are anchored in, and in tune with, nature.” India’s ‘History Hunter’ on a mission to preserve the past for future generations Think nubby woolen throws in mossy hues. Softly burnished wooden tables. Vintage quilts, and dishware. Gingham and garden florals. Landscape prints. Imagery of birds and woodland animals on textiles and wallcoverings. Etsy’s 2025 spring/summer trend report showed that searches for “French cottage decor” were up over 26,000% compared to 2024. “I see people embracing a slower pace to life where they can,” says New York-based interior and decor designer Kathy Kuo about the country cottage style. “The past two decades or so were dominated by a glorification of fast-paced ‘hustle culture’ — trends like cottagecore and coastal grandmother are evidence that the pendulum’s swinging toward taking pleasure in simpler, more nature-adjacent things in life, whether or not you actually live in a country cottage,” she says. Paint colors are also reflecting the trend. A calming sage green called Quietude is HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams’ color of the year. Little-Greene’s collection has names like Rolling Fog, Tea with Florence and Hammock. Mixing the styles Watching design show visitors excitedly discovering new finds among the aisles, I thought THIS is what’s fun about home decorating: You can think as creatively as you like when it comes to your own home. You’re all about high-octane city nightlife? Come this way. Scottish crofts, Scandi cabins and cozy porches more your thing? Right over here. And if you want to mix these two aesthetics? Go for it. There’s space to blend elements of both, says Kuo. “Design trends are so fluid. I absolutely see the potential to merge these into each other,” she says. “Many city dwellers love time in nature and have an affinity for a more rustic look, while still feeling called to honor their urban environment in their home. I see plenty of modern interior design motifs that are sleek and urban on the surface, but in the details, they’re infused with organic textures and biophilic elements.” “Really, the best designs are the ones that are personal, rather than perfect,” she adds. You could display an array of contemporary glass bowls on a curvy walnut credenza. Mix botanical patterns in vibrant, unexpected colors. Soften room elements like a sleek table and industrial-style lamp with boucle or velvet cushions and a fluffy rug. Pair polished concrete floors with vintage-inspired wallcovering. If you don’t want to mix elements in one space, consider using sliding partitions from one room to another. You’ll create a little style “journey.” If the recent international design fairs are any indication, you’re going to find loads of fun home decor in stores over the coming months. Get ready to flow.

Nepal's mountaineering community celebrated the conquest of the world's highest mountain with a rally of climbers, guides and others who gathered for International Everest Day. The event Thursday marked the 72nd anniversary of the first summit climb of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953, by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay, reports AP. Nepal's minister for culture and tourism led the celebration in the capital, Kathmandu,that included a walk around the city and a gathering at the old palace. “We are celebrating May 29 as the international Sagarmatha (Everest) day because the world needs to continue to recognize the achievement and contribution of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay,” said Ang Tshering, who runs Kathmandu-based Asian Trekking.  Nepal hosts environment conference as Himalayan glaciers melt The event was not just a celebration for the mountaineering community but also a festival for Nepal and the world, said Tshering, who has helped hundreds of clients scale the Himalayan peaks. Nepal contains eight of the highest peaks in the world and every year hundreds of foreign climbers fly to the country in South Asia to tackle the mountains. The climbers hire thousands of people in Nepal to assist their climbs by carrying gear, cooking food and generally taking care of them as they spend weeks in the mountains. Nepal's government collects money from the climbers through permit fees. The end of May also marks the end of the popular spring mountaineering season, when climbers finish their adventures and retreat from the peaks before the monsoon season brings foul weather. "This day is celebrated also to mark the end of the climbing season where we gather climbers and the community," Jiban Ghimire of Shangri-La Nepal Trek said. According to Nepal’s Department of Mountaineering, 468 foreign climbers from 57 countries received permits to climb Everest by the end of May, along with a roughly equal number of Nepalese mountain guides. Many were able to scale the peak, but officials were still working to verify how many reached the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) summit. Climbers must report to the department with proof they reached the summit and cleared their garbage before they are issued the official certificate. Nepal seeks partnerships with Bangladesh in key areas Famed Sherpa guide Kami Rita reached the Everest summit for the 31st time Tuesday, breaking his own record for the most climbs to the top of the famed mountain.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) celebrated the 126th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on Monday evening with a cultural event titled 'Chetona O Jagorone Nazrul' at BSA's National Theatre Hall Auditorium in Segun Bagicha. The programme was organized by the academy’s Music, Dance and Recitation Department. Mohammad Wares Hossain, Secretary and Acting Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, presided over the event, while Mehjabeen Rahman, Director of the Music, Dance and Recitation Department, delivered the welcome address. In his remarks, Mohammad Wares Hossain highlighted the historic significance of the government's recent official recognition of Kazi Nazrul Islam as the National Poet through a gazette notification for the first time. “Although Nazrul has long been regarded as our national poet in spirit, the current interim government has made it official. This recognition fulfills a long-cherished dream of Nazrul lovers and researchers,” he said. He further noted, “Nazrul was a poet of equality and rebellion; whenever he saw oppression, he voiced resistance through his poems and prose. We witnessed that same spirit during the mass uprising of July 2024.”

Renowned Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami, known for his signature smiling, rainbow-hued flowers, has launched a vibrant and thought-provoking exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art, opening to the public this Sunday. Titled “Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow,” the exhibition is an expanded version of a show previously held in Los Angeles and features over 100 works spanning various media — from paintings and sculptures to collaborations with luxury fashion brands like Louis Vuitton, album art, and even Major League Baseball merchandise. Murakami, whose style often blends playful imagery with deeper socio-historical commentary, said he intentionally pairs cheerful visuals with references to collective trauma, reflecting on how events shape societies. “It might seem like my work is very light and accessible — and that’s intentional,” he told the Associated Press. “It’s one of my tricks.” The exhibit explores themes of cultural memory and resilience. According to Ed Schad, curator at The Broad museum in Los Angeles, the artworks are steeped in historical context and serve as a reflection of societal health and response to trauma. “What society is reacting to most in this exhibition is the idea of trauma,” he noted. Among the standout pieces is Pom and Me, a sculpture depicting Murakami and his dog, half of their bodies rendered in anatomical detail, revealing internal organs and bones. The piece symbolizes the artist’s Western experiences filtered through his Japanese identity. Another installation features a wall of square portraits of cartoon-like flowers, their expressions ranging from joyful to sorrowful — some crying, others zombie-like or stunned as if watching fireworks. Organized by background color to form a rainbow, these images hint at emotional complexity beneath their playful surface. While the works don’t explicitly depict historical events, the museum contextualizes them against three major moments in Japanese history: the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II, the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and resulting Fukushima nuclear disaster, and the global COVID-19 pandemic. Visitors to the lower-level gallery first pass through a structure modeled after the Yumedono (Hall of Dreams) from Horyuji Temple in Nara, Japan. Inspired by the 2024 TV series Shōgun, this octagonal pavilion houses four recent Murakami paintings: Blue Dragon Kyoto, Vermillion Bird Kyoto, White Tiger Kyoto, and Black Tortoise Kyoto — completed between 2023 and 2025. The ticketed exhibition will remain on view through early September.

A unique cultural event, “Mohurter Mayajal: Photo, Art and Craft Exhibition Season 2,” was held at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) on Friday, with the participation of over a hundred students. The event took place at the university’s scenic Amtala premises and was organised for the second time by Aesthetic BAU, the university’s creative platform. The exhibition featured a live photo contest, bioscope showings, cultural performances, and a special serving of 1,000 cups of tea, among various other attractions. Students showcased the beauty and emotions of campus life through paintings, handmade crafts, and photographs captured on mobile phones.

A special solo exhibition titled 'Face of Life’ by artist Aminul Islam Ashik is currently ongoing at Zainul Gallery, Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University, inaugurated on Monday. The week-long exhibition is featuring over 40 sculptures and drawings, and two video artworks. The opening ceremony of the exhibition was joined by Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) of Dhaka University Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed as the chief guest, while Professor Dr Azharul Islam Sheikh, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University; eminent art maestro Hamiduzzaman Khan; and Britto Art Trust co-founder and artist Mahbubur Rahman were present as the special guests. A special publication on the exhibition, published by ARTCON, was also unveiled at the inauguration ceremony. The publication is designed by ARTCON Founder ARK Reepon. “It is with great pleasure that we celebrate the first solo exhibition of Aminul Islam Ashik, a distinguished alumnus of the Faculty of Fine Arts,” Dr Mamun said at the event. Inaugurating the event and unveiling the publication, he said Aminul's work stands as a testament to his deep engagement with both the sensory and cognitive dimensions of the human experience. “His art reflects an ongoing dialogue with the complexities of human emotion, identity, and the socio-political forces that shape our world; his portrayal of the human face as a symbol of existential transformation is deeply personal and universally relevant, and his sculptures and installations transcend the individual, probing the collective struggles of identity, power, and survival that define our shared humanity,” Dr Mamun said. ‘Keeping Childcare in the Picture’: ILO, BILS launch photo exhibition on childcare in Bangladesh Eminent artist Hamiduzzaman Khan said that one can observe an expansive realm of thought in the works of Ashik. Lauding his student, Khan said: “Ashik was one of my direct students. From the beginning of his academic journey, he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his craft with remarkable skill and diligence.” “His intellectual world, even at that time, was contemporary and modern, I once told him, "One day you will achieve great recognition," and I am proud that his work has garnered national and international praise,” Hamiduzzaman Khan said.

The solo painting exhibition titled ‘Debris’ by Kazi Salahuddin Ahmed has begun at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) in the capital’s Dhanmondi on Saturday. Eminent artist Monirul Islam joined the opening ceremony as the chief guest, while Mustafa Zaman, director of the Department of Fine Arts, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), also joined the event as the special guest. The exhibition showcases almost 30 acrylic works on board paper, offering viewers a glimpse into the artist’s latest explorations. Kazi Salahuddin has lived through the 1971 war and, even today, continues to witness devastation in regions such as Syria, Russia, Kashmir, and Myanmar - destruction that is entirely man-made. These tragedies, driven by the pursuit of power and control, have profoundly shaped his worldview; and over the decades, these experiences have left a lasting impression on his artistic journey, influencing both the themes and emotional depth of his work.

A six-day group art exhibition titled ‘Pahar O Paharer Jibon’ (Mountains and Mountain Life) began on Sunday at Safiuddin Shilpalay in the capital’s Dhanmondi area, marking the occasion of Mother’s Day. Now in its ninth edition, the exhibition has been organised by women’s art collective Jolkonna and features the works of 12 women artists. It will remain open to visitors every day until May 16, from 11am to 8pm. Jolkonna is a unique platform for women artists, especially those without formal academic training, who explore and express their creativity through visual storytelling—primarily using watercolour and mixed media. The name combines the Bengali words for ‘water’ (jol) and ‘colour’ (rong), reflecting the collective’s artistic identity and medium. This year’s edition features 33 pieces rendered in watercolour, ink, and other media, highlighting themes of nature, motherhood, and the everyday lives of mountain communities. Art exhibition geared towards children at Alliance Française wins acclaim The exhibition was jointly inaugurated by Professor Farida Zaman, head of the Printmaking Department at Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, and noted actress and filmmaker Chitralekha Guho. Both praised the participating artists for their resilience and dedication, particularly those balancing their creative journeys with motherhood. “I became a mother early in life. Balancing my creative career with motherhood hasn’t been easy. At times, I had to carry my child on set and work went on regardless. But no one truly understands that part of our struggle,” said Chitralekha. Prof Farida shared, “As a mother, I’ve had to move forward from very difficult places. My dream of becoming an artist was nurtured through challenges. I built my studio from scratch while holding my children in my arms.” The opening ceremony also featured poetry recitations by Mahi Farhana and Nishat Jesmin, musical performances by Swapna Barnadette Francis and Mahbuba Sultana, and traditional hill songs sung by Elina Chakma, adding a vibrant cultural layer to the event. Maine's hidden 'Sistine Chapel' inspires artists with 70-year-old frescoes Curated with the assistance of artist Ashok Karmakar, the exhibition is sponsored by City Bank PLC. Participating artists include Suporna Alice Gomes, Azadi Parvin, Sabina Nasrin, Elina Chakma, Tereza Isha Gomes, Flora Urmila, Jacqueline Ria Rozario, Maleka Sultana Nupur, Shama Sultana, Mahi Farhana, Aparna Torpador Mou and Sharifa Mehosa.