The High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Canada has inaugurated an exhibition of Bangladeshi arts and photographs titled "Lighting the Fire of Freedom: Art of A Young Nation" at the Art Gallery of Mississauga, Toronto.

The exhibition consisting 50 outstanding works of 38 Bangladeshi artists and photographers, is organised to celebrate the twin historic occasions of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh, said the High Commission on Saturday.

The exhibition will remain open until 12 January 2022.

The exhibition covers the history of Bangladesh from the birth of Bangabandhu in 1920 to 1975, depicting the important events of his life and his struggle and sacrifice to build a new nation, Bangladesh.

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The exhibition would enable both Canadian and non-Canadian visitors to know about the quality and outstanding art works of Bangladeshi artists and would also deepen the cultural relations between the two friendly countries - Bangladesh and Canada, said the High Commission.

The first iteration of the exhibition in 2020, was produced by Samdani Art Foundation and the Centre for Research and Information (CRI) in partnership with ICT Division and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

The exhibition was also visited by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with her family.

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At the invitation of AGM in Toronto, Samdani Art Foundation and CRI brought the exhibition "Lighting the Fire of Freedom: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman" to the heart of Canada in Toronto for the Canadian audience to learn about the Nation’s founder.

“As we celebrate the 50th years of Bangladesh in 2021, it is imperative that we pause and look back at the ideas and values that drove our independence movement.

Bangabandhu strove to create a Shonar Bangla where every woman, man and child could live with dignity, free from poverty and oppression, irrespective of their religion, ethnicity, or personal beliefs," said Radwan Mujib Siddiq, Trustee of CRI.

Curated by Ruxmini Reckvana Q Choudhury, "Lighting the Fire of Freedom: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman" offers intimate and little-known details about the life and work of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (1920-1975), the founding father of Bangladesh.