In commemoration of the British Council's 70th anniversary in Dhaka, the organization has launched a series of creative collaborations, including a special photography exhibition titled 'UK 1971: People's Solidarity with Bangladesh's Liberation.'

State Minister of Cultural Affairs KM Khaled inaugurated the exhibition on Saturday at the Liberation War Museum, Agargaon in the capital while British Council's global Chairman Stevie Spring CBE joined the event as special guest.

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The members of the Board of Trustees of the Liberation War Museum including Sara Zaker and Dr Sarwar Ali, and senior officials of the British council were also present at the event.

The exhibition consists of collections from Archive London 1971 and Liberation War Museum, showcasing 40 rare photographs, highlighting the public movement in the UK, in support of the Liberation War of Bangladesh.

From Nottingham to Birmingham to London, this archival collection documents Bengali diaspora communities as they raised their voices in solidarity for a liberated Bangladesh in 1971.

In his speech, KM Khalid said, ”The Liberation War of Bangladesh instigated a massive uproar in the international community, especially Bangladeshi diaspora in the UK. I am pleased that the British Council, the Liberation War Museum and Archive London 1971 have taken the initiative to document the support and cooperation that was extended to us by the UK during 1971, which is continued till date.”

“Currently, the UK holds the second largest Bangladeshi Diaspora Community, forming one of the UK's largest groups of people of overseas descent and also one of the youngest and fastest growing communities. During our 1971 Liberation War, the UK government and the people of the UK wholeheartedly supported us, for which we are thankful,” Khalid said at the event.

Referring to the exhibition, Stevie Spring CBE, Chairman, British Council said’ “The ‘UK 1971:People's Solidarity with Bangladesh's Liberation' exhibition is a reminder of the massive outpouring of support from the British Public For Bangladesh's Liberation movement in 1971. Over the last 50 years, the friendship between our two countries has grown stronger, and our connections are closer than ever before.”

“These cultural ties are further reinforced through the large and active Bangladeshi diaspora community in the UK, many of whom were involved in the liberation War demonstrations across the UK, half a century ago,” Spring added.

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Focusing on the glorious history between the British Council and Bangladesh, she further said, “This year, as Bangladesh celebrates 50 years of its independence, the British Council is also celebrating its 70-year anniversary in Dhaka, as it opened its first office in here in November 1951, and it is truly fantastic to see how our work in English, education, arts and culture is continuing to build people-to-people connections between Bangladesh and the UK.”

LWM trustee Mofidul Hoque said, “The exhibition ‘UK 1971: People's Solidarity with Bangladesh Liberation’ is about a glorious chapter of our past history, which is a historic occasion and we are sure, is going to open new pages of history. Liberation War Museum is proud to be host of the exhibition and co-curate the presentation.”

 “We are sure this collaboration between the British Council and the Liberation War Museum will strengthen our effort to memorialize in many ways. We are confident that together with the British Council, we will move forward in our effort to learn lessons from history to build a better future for all,” he added.

The exhibition in the Liberation War Museum will continue till December 19, 2021.