Marking a new chapter in performative literature, Atopor Shabdayan, a visual platform for art, literature, and culture, is launching Shabdayan – A Stand-Up Poetry Platform.

This initiative aims to introduce a fresh approach to spoken word poetry in Bangladesh.

To commemorate the launch, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in last month, between Goethe-Institut Bangladesh and Atopor Shabdayan. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to fostering cultural expression through poetry and performance.

Visionaries from both organizations, Frank Werner (Director of Goethe-Institut Bangladesh), Sharmin Shoma (Project Coordinator & Officer Press and Public Relations), Jubair Shawan (Co-Founder & Chief Visionary Officer), Rinku Rahii (Director Operation), Shadab Hashmi (Director Business Development) were present at the signing.

As part of the agreement, Goethe-Institut Bangladesh will support the organisation of the inaugural event, scheduled for 26 August at its premises in Dhaka. This will mark the beginning of a nationwide tour, with future events planned in divisional cities and other locations across the country, in collaboration with local universities, cultural institutions, and poetry organisations.

In a space where words meet rhythm and vision breathes through verse, Shabdayan unfolds—not just as an event, not quite a platform, but something that blends through artistry. Art becomes the language, and through it, echoes find echoes across distant hearts.

This unique event aims to create a space where contemporary art, storytelling, and spoken word intersect, uplifting the voices of both emerging and underrepresented poets. According to the organizers, the goal is to build a stage where conscious art is celebrated—not merely as entertainment but as a living, breathing force of expression and social reflection.

The event will feature background music, visual storytelling, and expressive movement-based performances, aiming to create a multisensory experience. The emphasis will be on presenting poetry as a dynamic, thought-provoking, and aesthetically immersive art form—one that resonates deeply and remains accessible to a wide audience.

The inaugural evening will showcase performances by notable artists.