Bangladesh Ikebana Association (BIA) and Alliance Française jointly organized “Ikebana Display, Demonstration” at Alliance Française in Dhanmondi on Saturday.

BIA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) was also held at the same venue.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori and Director, Alliance Française François Grosjean joined the occasion as the chief guest and special guest respectively.

The Ambassador congratulated the Bangladesh Ikebana Association on the auspicious occasion of its 14th AGM and other Ikebana activities.

In Japan, the practice of Ikebana is considered as more than just a form of flower decoration. It is rather a spiritual art form that requires creativity, Imagination, aestheticism and love for nature.

Its aesthetic beauty and spiritual values have made Ikebana known globally, including Bangladesh.

BIA members conducted activities, such as Ikebana classes, workshop, all of which were held in BIA's different schools. Looking back on the year of 2023 BIA organized several events to promote Ikebana not only in Dhaka, but also in other cities like Rajshahi.

In November an event was organized in the University of Rajshahi to promote the culture of Ikebana.

“BIA's initiatives will continue to leave a profound impact on cultural and art scenes in Bangladesh. I hope that the practice of Ikebana will take deep root in local communities of this country and become an enduring symbol of grass-root friendship between Japan and Bangladesh,” said the Japanese Ambassador.

He warmly congratulated the Ikebana display, demonstration and the 14th Annual General Meeting organized by the Bangladesh Ikebana Association (BIA) in the city.

Bangladesh Ikebana Association started its journey as an Ikebana school in October 1973 on the Japanese Embassy premises in Shantinagar. It was restructured into the present organization in 2009, said a media release.

Ambassador Iwama handed over certificates to those who completed Ikebana courses from Ikebana School.

Dr AKM Moazzem Hussain, a former BUET professor who returned from Japan after 10 years of studying in September 1971, and a group of Bangladeshis who had studied and/or taken training in Japan established an Ikebana School in October 1973 on the premises of the Embassy of Japan at Shantinagar in Dhaka.

Preeminent painter the late Shilpacharjya Joynul Abedin and Ambassador Takeshi Oyamada of Japan had handed over certificates to the 28 graduates of the first batch in March 1974.

Honorary CEO Masud Karim said, “We always get supportive cooperation from the Embassy of Japan. Next year we have a plan to arrange our event in a multipurpose hall at the Embassy of Japan premises.”