On Friday, an architecture exhibition titled ‘Learning from Puran Dhaka: Exploring the Future of Living Heritage’ began at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) in the capital’s Dhanmondi. Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union in Bangladesh Charles Whiteley, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy, and Antonio Alessandro, Italian Ambassador in Bangladesh, were present at the inauguration ceremony. Thijs Woudstra, Chargé d'affaires at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Bangladesh and Prof Dr Khandaker Shabbir Ahmed, President of the Institute of Architects Bangladesh also joined the event. This exhibition is the outcome of a two-week architectural research study by a group of architecture students from the universities of ENSA, Paris la Villette; BUET, Dhaka; BVCOA, Navi Mumbai; C.A.T., Trivandrum; and Mokpo University, South Korea. They split into several working groups to investigate endangered heritage, circular economy, urban agriculture, innovation as part of traditional activities, informal sectors, public space distribution, and corporate culture in Puran Dhaka. Amid its rapid growth, Dhaka risks losing its architectural and living heritage. An intricate relationship exists between Puran Dhaka and the river Buriganga, and this field workshop will explore this relationship and highlight the various aspects of living heritage still thriving in the old labyrinths of the city, according to the organizers. A team of 44 students and 12 mentors worked together to map and document these aspects of the old city. This study encompasses various elements, including the evolution of Bara Katra from a residential area in Mughal times to an economic hub for the neighbourhood, albeit losing its original purpose. It explores the hierarchy of public open spaces in the Armanitola neighbourhood and delves into the traditional craft of Shankhari bangle-making by learning from Shankhari artisans. Additionally, it examines the preservation of Bangla culture in Tanti Bazar, where the sheen of gold contributes to the swift transformation of the built heritage. The study also highlights the enduring literary and cultural legacy in Bangla Bazar, the presence of Gol Talab as a rare oasis in densely populated Puran Dhaka, and the changes in the mansions of Zamindars in Mongolabash. Finally, it delves into the wood-to-paper connections in the Farashganj neighbourhood. The efforts of this extensive and informative research project can be explored at the exhibition open to all at La Galerie till Friday, February 23, from 3pm to 9pm every day. The opening was followed by a performance art titled ‘Gaaner Kuli’.

Netizens in the capital observed a joyful Wednesday as Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) celebrated the festive occasion of Pahela Falgun with its "Bawshonto Utsab" through jovial arrangements. Concurrently, the esteemed national cultural organization also bid farewell to its much-acclaimed ‘Jatiya Pitha Utshab 1430’ (National Rice Cake Festival) on Wednesday. The festivities of the day began with a special dance recital titled ‘Bawshanto Nrittyo’ in the capital’s Ramna Park at 3:30 pm with 225 dance artists. A festive procession was then brought out towards the BSA premises after that, joined by an approximate number of 300 artists representing different cultural genres. Minister of Housing and Public Works RAM Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury joined the ‘Bawshonto Utshab’ as the chief guest. Cultural Affairs Secretary Khalil Ahmed was the special guest at the festivities. The cultural event on the open premises of the academy then featured enthralling musical performances, poetry recitations, dance recitals, and choreography of spring-themed Bengali fashion, presented by the country’s esteemed artists from 4:30 pm onwards.  After enthralling the audiences with the festive offerings, BSA organised the concluding and prize-giving ceremony of this year’s ‘Jatiya Pitha Utshab’ at the open premises of the academy from 8:30 pm. 

Dhaka University campus experienced a vibrant and eventful day on Wednesday when students and others celebrated the Valentine's Day and other major events amid festivity and celebrations. February 14 is known as "the day of love" in the English calendar while the day coincided with the beginning of the Bengali month of Falgun, the first day of the Spring season. Additionally, Wednesday also coincided with Swaraswati Puja, a Hindu festival celebrated at the renowned Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University, intensifying the festive atmosphere. The day commenced with the Pahela Fagun festival at the Bokultola of the Fine Arts Faculty, where the campus was adorned with shining rays of the rising sun. Simultaneously, Swaraswati Puja commenced at Jagannath Hall, featuring 72 idols from various departments, institutes, universities, and halls. Dhaka University was enveloped in a kaleidoscope of traditions as people from diverse backgrounds, adorned in festive attire, flocked to the campus. The Bakultola hosted day-long programmes organised by the Bosonto Utsab Udjapon Committee to welcome the Spring season. Concurrently, another cultural programme took place at the 'Bot tola' of the Arts Faculty, celebrating the arrival of Falgun. Students in panjabis and sarees, were a common sight at Charukola Faculty, holding red roses as they embraced the festive spirit. Wasif Khan, a visitor from Mohammadpur, shared his plans for the day, expressing his intention to enjoy the festivities with his loved one. His day included visits to Charukola, Jagannath Hall for the Puja, the book fair, and possibly Rabindra Sarobar. Tanni Das, a visitor to the Puja from Mirpur, highlighted her family's annual tradition of paying homage to the goddess of knowledge, Saraswathi, at Jagannath Hall's Puja ground. Despite the convergence of four mainstream festivals, she emphasized their focus on Swaraswati Puja. As the book fair opened at 3:00 pm and continued until 9:00 pm, a discussion honouring language movement veteran Gaziul Haque took place at the main stage of the fair at Bangla Academy Premises. The influx of people from Pohela Falgun and Swaraswati Puja contributed to the bustling atmosphere at the book fair, with book sellers reporting increased sales. However, the festivities led to substantial crowds and traffic jams in the Dhaka University area, causing inconvenience for students. Arif Hasan, a DU student, expressed frustration, noting the challenges to the university's security and the well-being of its students amid the dense crowds.

Chorusing the slogan "Real Stories by Real People," Daffodil International University (DIU)'s Department of Journalism, Media, and Communication is hosting the first-ever Community Digital Storytelling Festival (CDSTF) on February 16 and 17 at Daffodil Smart City. Addressing the details of the festival’s maiden edition to the media, a press conference was organized at DIU on Tuesday, joined by CDSTF Coordinator Alifunnessa Alif, Submission Manager Sadman Islam, and PR Manager Muhammad Asif Ul Islam. Professor Dr Liza Sharmin, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; Aftab Hossain, Head of the Department of Journalism, Media and Communication and Kabil Khan, Associate Professor and Advisor of the Festival were present at the press conference, along with teachers and students of the department. 'Golper Provat': A unique rendezvous of readers, writers at D’s Bistro Keeping the theme “Environment and Sustainability” in mind, the participating students submitted their outstanding films in Open, Journalism, One Minute and DIU Best Community Story categories, respectively. The activities of this newly launched flagship event of DIU's Department of Journalism, Media, and Communication started at the beginning of 2023. The organizers of the festival campaigned on various issues including the goals, objectives and methods of participation in the festival in different schools, colleges, and universities both home and abroad, physically and virtually; and also provided hands-on training on filmmaking through mobile phones at various levels of educational institutions. In this continuation, the participants of the festival from nine countries of the world have submitted a total of 106 films. Out of these, 73 films were initially selected and handed over to the festival's jury board which selected 39 films for screening at the maiden CDSTF. Curtain raises for Sammilita Sangskritik Jote's Amar Ekushey 2024 cultural tribute Winners in various categories of the festival will get attractive prizes as well as the opportunity to have direct discussions and advice with media researchers and eminent personalities, the organizers said at the press conference. Ayaz Khan, who pioneered mobile journalism in Pakistan, Mojo, was the chief judge at the festival and is also working as a judge for the Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival this year. Prof Dr Marta Miaskowsa, a Research and Teaching staff member at the Faculty of Design, Lodz University of Technology was also on the judging panel of this year’s CDSTF, alongside Nuruzzaman Khan of Lithuania's Artisokai Film Production, also an artist-writer-researcher-filmmaker; and Fahmim Ferdous, project manager and trainer of Deutsche Welle, DW Academy Asia and Europe and a journalist, presenter, and media personality in the country. The strategic partner of CDSTF is the world's largest Bengali news portal, Prothom Alo.com. Apart from this, Bangladesh Times, Irfan Trades and LumiFusion are the partners for award distribution. Sangeet Oikko Bangladesh felicitates Rezwana Choudhury Bannya on receiving 'Padma Shri' CDSTF 2024 is also supported by MINA, which has joined as a global partner to spread this event to all corners of the world. Youth community partners include ICD, Initiative for Coastal Development and Swinburne University of Technology as institutional partners. Site Vault has also partnered with this year’s CDSTF which will be streaming selected films, and the entire festival is fully supported by the Daffodil International University authority.

Intending to celebrate this year's International Mother Language Day, D's Bistro, a unique cafe in the capital’s Uttara, in collaboration with JCI Dhaka Sparks, organized a Bangla book recitation event titled ‘Golper Provat’ with the hope of connecting readers and authors under one roof. Supported by Cosmos Foundation, this is a month-long event to be held every Saturday morning and the inaugural session was arranged on February 10. The inaugural session of this month-long weekly event featured three writers - mythology, history, and historical fiction author SM Niaz Mowla; poet Nizamul Huda - a teacher, traveller and avid thinker; and the writer of the first book about Artificial Intelligence in Bangla titled ‘ChatGPT and AI Millionaire’, published in this year Amar Ekushey Book Fair, Mehedi Hassan Rifat. With the vibrant presence of enthusiastic readers and thinkers, including renowned actress and singer Shampa Reza, the last Saturday of this year’s winter was celebrated with engaging conversations on not only books but also many of society’s norms, beliefs, myths and more.  

Chorusing the slogan “Ekush Mane Matha Noto Na Kora,” Sammilita Sangskritik Jote began its nine-day Amar Ekushey cultural tribute on Thursday. An inauguration ceremony marking the festivities was held at the Central Shaheed Minar on Thursday afternoon, where the speakers urged the cultural activists to be united and active to build a terrorism-communalism and exploitation-oppression-free Bangladesh. The series of events was Inaugurated by eminent cultural personality Ramendu Majumdar. The inaugural ceremony was chaired by Sammilita Sangskritik Jote President Ghulam Quddus. Bangladesh Abritti Samannay Parishad and Sammilita Sangskritik Jote General Secretary, reciter Md Ahkam Ullah delivered the welcome speech. The Convenor of the Amar Ekushey festivities committee, renowned dramatist Jhuna Chowdhury also spoke at the event. The inaugural programme then was followed by solo and group recitations, dance and street play. From February 8 to 16, the Amar Ekushey cultural events will continue at the Central Shaheed Minar and from February 17 to February 21st, the events will continue at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial, Rayer Bazar in the capital.   Sammilita Sangskritik Jote and other cultural organisations observe the Language Martyrs Day or International Mother Language Day every year with such events, honouring the martyrs in the 1952 Language Movement.

Sangeet Oikko Bangladesh, the umbrella organisation for several of the country's music-related groups, has honoured the eminent Rabindra Sangeet artist Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, who has recently been named as one of the distinguished recipients of India’s prestigious "Padma Shri" award by the Government of India. On Monday (February 5) evening, the representative team of Sangeet Oikko Bangladesh congratulated the iconic singer at her residence in the capital with floral greetings on behalf of the organisation. Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya to receive prestigious Padma Shri award Secretary Generals of the organisation Shahid Mahmud Jangi and Naquib Khan, alongside Sangeet Oikko’s Publicity and Publication Secretary, National Film Award-winning lyricist Zulfikar Russell, went to felicitate Bannya, who is also the President of the organisation. Bannya received Bangladesh's highest civilian award, the Independence Award, in 2016 for her contribution to the country’s music. This time, the eminent artist was awarded India's fourth highest civilian honour, the 'Padma Shri' for her distinguished service in the field of art. Lyricists’ Association of Bangladesh, Singers’ Association of Bangladesh, Music Composers’ Society Bangladesh, and Bangladesh Musicians Foundation have united under the banner of 'Sangeet Oikya Bangladesh' in 2021 to protect the rights of people associated with the country’s music industry. This organisation is working together with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Bangladesh Copyright Office to create links between all parties in music and formulate jointly developed proposals for the betterment of the industry. The first and current committee members of the organisation include President Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, Secretary Generals Shaheed Mahmud Jangi, Naquib Khan, and Kumar Bishwajit, Finance and Department Secretary Asif Iqbal, Information Technology and International Affairs Secretary Hasan Abidur Reza Jewel, Cultural Secretary Bappa Mazumder, Publicity and Publication Secretary Zulfikar Russell, and Executive Members Manam Ahmed, Kabir Bakul, Shawkat Ali Imon, and Joy Shahriar. India’s highest civilian honour is "Bharat Ratna," followed by "Padma Vibhushan," "Padma Bhushan" and "Padma Shri" in chronological order. These awards are conferred for special contributions in different sectors. This year, the Indian government has nominated 132 distinguished people for the Padma Awards. Five of them are receiving the "Padma Vibhushan," 17 are receiving the "Padma Bhushan" and 110 are receiving the "Padma Shri’" award, including Bannya. Earlier in 2021, the Indian government awarded the "Padma Shri" to the leading personalities of the cultural arena of Bangladesh, including Chhayanaut President Professor Sanjida Khatun and Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Quazi Sazzad Ali Zahir, Bir Protik.Previously, archaeologist Enamul Haque and social worker Jharnadhara Chowdhury also received the "Padma Shri" award, while late-eminent educationist Professor Anisuzzaman and diplomat Syed Moazzem Ali received 'Padma Bhushan' from the Government of India.

The 12th Kibria Print Fair, currently ongoing at Kalakendra in Dhaka's Lalmatia, is bringing together 19 printing studios and institutions from across the country to showcase their exquisite artworks. Kibria Printmaking Studio has been organising the fair, also known as the ‘Kibria Mela’, since 2012 to pay tribute to the late eminent printmaker Mohammad Kibria. Since the first print fair, the Kibria Mela has worked towards promoting printmaking more accessible to artists and enthusiasts. Typically held every year in the first week of February, this year’s fair which was Inaugurated on Friday, is displaying artworks created using different techniques such as woodcut, intaglio, lithography, etching and others. Department of Printmaking, Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University; Painting-Oriental-Printmaking Department, Faculty of Fine Arts, Rajshahi University; Printmaking Discipline, Fine Arts School, Khulna University; Department of Fine Arts, Jatiyo Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Trishal, Mymensingh; Department of Printmaking, Faculty of Fine Arts, Jagannath University; Department of Fine Arts, Islamic University Bangladesh, Kushtia; Printmaking Studio, Department of Fine Arts, UODA; Department of Fine Arts, Rabindra Maitree University, Kushtia; Bengal Arts Programme under the Bengal Foundation; Safiuddin Printmaking Studio; Shunno Art Space; Cosmos Atelier 71; Karkhana Art Space; Studio 48; Flame Arts Open Studio; Mazumder's Print Land; Kaalnee Art Studio; Kibria Printmaking Studio; Kalakendra, Dhaka; and Govt. College of Art & Craft, Agartala, Tripura, India are participating in this year’s fair. The inauguration ceremony on Friday was joined by several eminent artists including Syed Abul Barq Alvi, Shahid Kabir, Rashid Amin, DU FFA Dean Nisar Hossain and others. Besides works by emerging printmakers, the fair is featuring artworks created by prominent artists, namely, Abul Barq Alvi, Rafiqun Nabi, Nisar Hossain, Shahid Kabir, Wakilur Rahman, Fareha Zeba, Shishir Bhattacharjee, Samarjit Roy Chowdhury, and others. Cosmos Atelier 71, the art wing of Cosmos Foundation and one of the regular participants at the fair, is displaying over 40 artworks in this year’s edition. The 12th Kibria Print Fair will remain open from 4 pm to 8 pm till February 10.

Emerging as a unique platform for over 100 local and contemporary artists and artisans, Dhaka Makers, an independent arts and crafts festival opened its second season on Thursday at the Aloki Convention Center in the capital. After its highly acclaimed inaugural season back in June last year, the platform which has already established itself as an urban rendezvous for creative, contemporary local artists and artisans, the second edition of Dhaka Makers aims to continue showcasing their work and foster connections within the creative community on an even greater scale. A wide variety of events are available throughout the four-day festival, such as arts and crafts classes, a Makers' Market with over 100 entrepreneurs, an art gallery called Jadughar that showcases the works of 85 artists, and a scrumptious food pavilion curated by Sameera Wadood. The festival celebrates Dhaka's cultural wealth with nightly performances by performers from different musical styles, including Tashfee, Labik Kamal Gourob, Imran Ahmed Trio, Joler Gaan, and others. City Bank takes centre stage as the Title Partner for the event, with support from other partners such as EMK Center and Goethe Institute. Strategic Partners include Aloki Convention Center, Emerald Events, ICE Today, Deshar Works, and Bhai Bhai Productions. Media Partners contributing to the festival's outreach are Haal Fashion and Somoy TV.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unveiled a new graphic novel based on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's book "Amar Dekha Noya Chin" (The New China as I Saw) on Thursday, February 1, following the inauguration of the Ekushey Book Fair. The unveiling took place at the Centre for Research and Information (CRI) stall located in the Bangla Academy premises, where she also purchased a copy of the book. The Prime Minister entered the fair at 4:40 pm and, after visiting several stalls and viewing the exhibits on display, she made her way to the CRI stall. Read: ‘Amar Dekha Noya Chin’: Illuminating Bangabandhu’s travel account Nasrul Hamid, a trustee of CRI, introduced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to those present at the stall before she unveiled a major attraction of this year's book fair, the graphic novel "Amar Dekha Noya Chin". The Prime Minister also participated in a photo session with the book. Following this, she visited several other stalls before departing from the fair premises. Like every year, the CRI stall is set up in the Bangla Academy premises, with the newly published graphic novel "Amar Dekha Noya Chin" being the highlight of their display. CRI’s first foray into this genre was the graphic novel "Mujib", aimed at introducing Bangabandhu to children and young adults. Following the success of "Mujib", they planned to adapt another popular book written by the Father of the Nation into a graphic novel format. The graphic novel's publisher is CRI trustee Radwan Mujib Siddiq, with illustrations by Sabyasachi Mistry. Siddiq Ahmed contributed to the narrative and dialogue, while the project's curation and editing were managed by Shibu Kumar Shill.