Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the government is taking measures to develop and promote the grassroots arts and culture. "We're taking steps to flourish and present the art thoughts, knowledge and capacity of the grassroots cultural-minded community before the people of the country by setting up Shilpakala academy throughout the country," she said. The premier said this while opening the 19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) in the city. She launched the month-long art extravaganza through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganabhaban. The exhibition which is one of the grandest art extravaganzas in the world and the longest-running international art biennale event in Asia, would welcome its visitors till January 7, every day from 11 am to 8 pm. Also read: Prosperous economy possible only when safe environment at sea can be ensured: PM Hasina said her government has been promoting the country's languages, culture, artworks, drama, film and creativity. Since the formation of the Bangladesh Awami League government in 1996, her government has prepared a master plan for the development of Shilpakala Academy, she said. She said National Theatre, Experimental Theatre, Studio Theatre, Music and Dance Auditorium, Fine Arts Auditorium and Open Stage were built there. Construction of three more auditoriums is also underway. The PM said the government has constructed new buildings of Shilpakala Academy in 64 districts. Shilpakala Academy has been set up in 493 upazilas, which means the government wants to take the services for raising cultural activities to the people at the grassroots level. "We've been working for the socioeconomic development on the one hand and taking steps to develop their artistic minds," she said. Also read: PM opens 19th Asian Art Biennale in Dhaka PM Hasina said arrangements are being made to preserve and display local and foreign artworks in these places. Arts, music, dance, drama film, traditional folk music or folk culture festivals are also being organised. "Because we've making endeavours to develop our own culture" she said. Sponsored by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the 19th edition of Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2022 includes 649 pieces of art created by 493 artists from 114 nations, including 149 Bangladeshi artists. This month-long art extravaganza showcases two-dimensional and three-dimensional artworks such as paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures, performance arts, installations and new media arts, crafted and presented by the participating native and foreign artists who channelled their contemporary thoughts through these artworks. The edition features a two-day international seminar titled ‘Home and Displacement’ with the participation of local and foreign artists, art critics, jury and observers. The seminar will be held on Friday and Saturday at the National Art Gallery Auditorium and Seminar Rooms of the National Theatre Building of the BSA. In addition to the main exhibition at BSA, the Bangladesh National Museum displays 42 artworks of Bangladeshi legendary master artists from its collection as a part of the art extravaganza. This 19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2022 is dedicated to the country's founding President and the father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who envisioned and established Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy which has been organizing the Asian Art Biennale, the largest art exhibition in Asia, for the past 40 years. Six artists were conferred with honorary award, while three others with the grand award. President of the jury board of the event artist Rafiqun Nabi announced the names of the awardees. On behalf of the PM, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid handed over the awards to the recipients. Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Abul Monsur, jury board member and noted Polish art critic Jaroslaw Suchan, BSA Director General and chief coordinator of 19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2022 Liaquat Ali Lucky, among others, spoke at the inaugural session. Earlier, the Prime Minister released a commemorative postage stamp, a first-day cover and a data card on the occasion of the 19th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh.