Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) has recently hosted the first show of the puppet theatre titled “Invisible Stories” by a duo of Bangladeshi artists, Diana Meriline and Md Farhad Ahmed, under French puppeteer Laurie Cannac’s direction of her very own creation. The maiden edition of this special theatre production was staged on October 4 and 5 at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka, in Dhanmondi. The story follows two scientists, studying the impact of ghosts on everyday life in Dhaka. Their subject begins to master them and throws them on a fantastic trip that leads them to meet the wilderness and wisdom of the Sundarbans.  

French is becoming increasingly popular among professionals and students in Bangladesh. Being one of the leading international languages of the world, skills in the French language can open career and academic opportunities for Bangladeshis. Besides, several European countries and Canada value French language skills for immigration. Let’s delve into several learning centers in Dhaka that offer French language courses.  Some Popular Places to Learn French in Dhaka City Alliance Française de Dhaka  Alliance Française de Dhaka or AFD is the premier organization in Bangladesh for learning French. The non-profit organization has been working in Bangladesh since 1959 and is playing a key role in promoting French art and culture in the country.  AFD offers French learning options for children, teens, and adults. They have both extensive and intensive courses for each level. In addition to A1, A2, B1, and B2, AFD also has a “Beginner” course to start things off from absolute basics. All of the classes are conducted offline. The course duration is about 40 hours for the extensive program and 76 hours for the intensive one. The cost varies depending on the age group and course type. The fees range from 3,500 BDT (non-beginner children) to 16,600 BDT (extensive adults). The intensive program for adults can cost up to 19,800 BDT with books. Read more: Essential Skills to Learn Before Going to Study Abroad Institute of Modern Languages (IML), Dhaka University  The Institute of Modern Languages of Dhaka University is one of the oldest language research projects and learning institutes in Bangladesh. Founded in 1974, IML works as an instituted faculty under Dhaka University and offers bachelor's, master's, Ph.D., and M.Phil. in selected linguistics and culture.  Currently, IML offers non-degree certificate courses in 13 different languages including French. The French language course curriculum comprises 1 year in the junior certificate course and senior certificate course. The minimum requirement to be admitted to the junior certificate course is to have at least a 2.5 GPA in HSC.  There’s also a 3-month long short course (60 Hours) on French language. All of the classes are conducted offline. The application fee is 500 BDT and the course fee is 9,500 BDT. BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL), BRAC University  BRAC Institute of Languages or BIL is the third UGC-approved language research institute of Bangladesh. BIL started its journey in modular form offering English language courses to the students of BRAC University back in 2005.  Read more: Getting International German Language Certificates from Bangladesh: A Comprehensive Guide Over the years, the modular structure evolved into a structured language research institute which was then renamed as BIL in 2012.  As part of its Modern Languages curriculum, BIL offers courses in 7 different languages including French. Currently, BIL offers on-campus offline beginner-level courses in French. The course fee for the program is 6150 BDT.  Shield Language Academy Dhaka  Shield Language Academy Dhaka is another leading institute for learning French in Dhaka. With over several years of experience, Shield is a trusted language learning center specializing in different languages.  Shield Academy offers A1 to B2 level programs for the French language. The duration for each of the courses is 4 months with 2 classes per week. The cost of each course is 16,500 BDT. Additionally, the admission fee will be 1000 BDT and the textbook and workbook fee will also be 1000 BDT.  Read more: 10 Ways You Can Improve Your English Pronunciation AIUB Institute of Continuing Education  AIUB Institute of Continuing Education started its journey back in 2007 as a means to provide technical skill development programs to the graduates of the university. The aim was to make them industry-ready and initiate essential skills to thrust them ahead in the job market.  Over the years, AIUB ICE has expanded into a diverse foray of skill development including foreign language courses. Currently, it provides A1, A2, B1, and B2 level French courses to its students as well as outsiders.  The duration of the French course of ICE is about 4 months. Classes are held on Fridays and the medium of instruction is online. The cost of each level is 9000 BDT.  Daffodil Institute of Languages, Daffodil University  Daffodil Institute of Languages was formed as part of Daffodil University’s outreach upskilling program. DIL aims to provide certified knowledge of foreign languages to individuals to help in their career prospects. Currently, DIL offers certificate courses in English, pre-university English, Japanese, Chinese, French, and Quranic Arabic.  Read more: 10 Best Free Android Apps to Learn English Vocabulary Currently, DIL is offering an A1-level French course. The duration of the course is 2 months with three classes per week. The cost of the course is 30,000 BDT including the registration fee for the A1 DELF exam. 

Bangladeshi Artist Liakat Ali's eighth solo painting exhibition titled "Rhythmic Abstraction" was inaugurated at La Galerie of Alliance Francaise de Dhaka Friday. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki attended the event as the chief guest.  Dhaka University Faculty of Fine Art Professor Mostafizul Haque, former chief whip of Jatiya Sangsad ASM Feroz, and International Crimes Tribunal-1 Prosecutor Md Sultan Mahmud also attended the event as special guests. Read: Curtain rises on Shilpo Bangla Art Exhibition The exhibition is displaying 30 paintings by the artist. Also, Liakat's artworks have been showcased in solo and group exhibitions in Japan, Canada, the UK, the US, and China.  He completed his BFA from the China National Fine Arts Academy, Hangzhou, in drawing and painting. "The mood of painting makes the image much more attractive and the music can give a new mood to the images, which can be a new style in the abstract images in the contemporary platform that looks like rhythmic abstraction," he said about the ongoing exhibition. Read BSA commemorates August 21 massacre with visual art show Liakat Ali's art exhibition Rhythmic Abstraction will be open to all till August 13, Monday to Saturday from 3pm to 9pm.

Renowned photographer Bashir Ahmed Sujan's exclusive solo panoramic photography exhibition ‘Stand Up, Dhaka’ (Darao, Dhaka) was inaugurated on Friday at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD), Dhanmondi in the capital. A book under the same title was also launched at the inauguration ceremony, published by Duniyadari Archives. This is Bangladesh's first vertical panoramic photography exhibition, providing a new and dynamic approach to exhibition and book-making in terms of format and gallery design. On Friday afternoon, the exhibition was inaugurated by Khondoker Mostafizur Rahman, Director General of Bangladesh National Museum as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony.  Eminent photographer Nasir Ali Mamun joined the event as its special guest, while Francois Grosjean, Director of Alliance Française de Dhaka and Architect Nurur Rahman Khan also attended the event as the guest of honour.