A living exhibition and an open workshop titled "Learning from Puran Dhaka: The Urbanity of Occupations along the Buriganga Riverfront" began at La Galerie of the Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) Saturday.

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Bangladesh Charles Whiteley, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy and Embassy of the Netherlands in Bangladesh Chargé d'affaires Thijs Woudstra joined the opening ceremony.

"It's a beautiful project. The heritage of Dhaka is very important and the heritage of Old Dhaka is extremely important," said Ambassador Whitely, adding that it is very exciting to see some students will be exploring Old Dhaka.

A long-running heritage initiative, "River Heritage: Learning from Puran Dhaka," is in its third chapter, led by the EUNIC cluster in Bangladesh (Alliance Française, Goethe-Institut, British Council, Spanish Embassy) and the EU Delegation in Bangladesh with support from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Bangladesh.

Several local partners are also working on this project, including Dhaka South City Corporation, the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Brihatta Arts Foundation, Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute.

The Ecole Supérieure Nationale d’Architecture de Paris-La Villette, BVCAO, Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Architecture, recently joined by the College of Architecture Trivandrum, were invited by the AFD to continue the documentation of the old city core of Dhaka, involving local educational partners BUET and Pathshala around the title "Learning from Puran Dhaka."

Over 50 architectural students and faculties from architecture schools in Dhaka, Mumbai, Trivandrum, and Paris will work on the project.

They will be split into working groups to investigate topics such as endangered heritage, circular economy, urban agriculture, innovation as part of traditional activities, informal sectors, the way public space is distributed and corporate culture in the eight river docks (ghats) in Old Dhaka.

Read more: Research-based art exhibition 'River Delta' begins at AFD

Throughout this workshop and exhibition, students will exhibit drawings, maps, sketches, observations, and photographs of Old Dhaka.

Several cultural activities will follow the project throughout its length to inspire thought and curiosity about Old Dhaka's tangible and intangible heritage.

The exhibition will remain open to all till February 20, every day from 3pm to 9pm.