United News of Bangladesh

An exciting chapter in Bangladesh’s cultural landscape has begun with the official launch of Art Dhaka, a new art fair scheduled to be held in Dhaka from November 6–10 this year. The launch event held at Aloki on Sunday brought together diplomats, corporate leaders and members of the country’s arts and culture community, formally introducing the initiative to the public.The initiative is led by a group of individuals and institutions deeply committed to promoting the country’s arts and culture. The founding members include Durjoy Rahman, Aumia Khundkar, Amreen Bashir Ali, Fahd Sattar, and Nahar Khan. Together, they bring a powerful convergence of cultural leadership, media, philanthropy, and institutional experience. Art Dhaka has been conceived as a hybrid art fair designed to bring together artists, galleries, collectors, and institutions within a single curated environment. The fair will feature gallery presentations, curated exhibitions, public programming, and dedicated spaces for emerging artists and new collectors. The fair will be designed to create multiple points of engagement. Talks, panels, and interactive experiences will offer audiences insight into artistic practice, collecting, and the evolving role of art in society. A central focus of Art Dhaka is to bridge the generational gap among patrons and cultivate new audiences, said a press release on Thursday. Through accessible entry points, educational programming, and direct engagement with artists and curators, the platform aims to demystify the art world and build familiarity with artistic practice. By creating pathways for students, young professionals, and first-time buyers to engage with art in a meaningful way, Art Dhaka seeks to establish an informed next generation of collectors who can support and strengthen the cultural ecosystem over time. With the tagline, “Art for All,” this platform aims to be a place where artists, collectors, and institutions can meet, where new audiences can engage with confidence, and where the cultural energy of Bangladesh can be experienced at scale. The first edition of Art Dhaka aims to facilitate a space where artistic practice, audiences, and patronage come together with clarity and purpose. About the founders: Durjoy Rahman is the Founder of the Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation (DBF) and one of Asia’s foremost art collectors and cultural philanthropists. For over three decades, he has been deeply involved in building a distinguished collection that spans international masters alongside emerging and established South Asian artists. Through DBF, Durjoy actively supports creative practice by initiating exhibitions, artist residencies, publications, and cross-cultural collaborations worldwide. The name “Durjoy Bangladesh” translates to “Invincible Bangladesh,” reflecting a spirit of resilience and cultural strength that aligns with the foundation’s mission. DBF has long-term partnerships with leading international institutions including the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), among others, playing a vital role in placing Bangladeshi and South Asian art within major global discourses. Nahar Khan works across media, culture, and global engagement, shaping narratives that move across borders. She is the Executive Editor of the United News of Bangladesh (UNB), one of the country’s leading and most trusted independent news agencies. She oversees editorial integrity, newsroom innovation, and the agency’s ongoing transformation within an evolving information ecosystem. She is the founder of Solis, a multi-pillar platform working across strategic insights and intelligence, convening and culture. Her practice is shaped through directing exhibitions, artist residencies, high-level symposia, and international exchange programs that place Bangladeshi art in dialogue with global platforms. Her broader work includes her role on the board of Cosmos Foundation, supporting conservation, cultural and heritage initiatives. Through exhibitions and cross-border collaborations, she has worked to position Bangladesh’s narratives within wider global conversations. Her most recognised project, The Black Story, brought together artists and scholars across continents to explore shared histories through an Afro–South Asian lens. Amreen Bashir Ali is a strategist and academic working at the intersection of art, education, and global development. She leads initiatives at the Mubarak Ali Foundation focused on cultural diplomacy and education, including partnerships with institutions such as Harvard Business School, Frieze Art Fair and South by Southwest (SXSW) London. She holds degrees from McGill, Harvard, and Oxford University, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Education at Trinity College Dublin. T. Aumia Khundkar is the Deputy Managing Director of ICE Media, Bengal Group Limited and leads the operations and editorial direction of the company’s two publications, ICE Today and ICE Business Times. Beyond publishing, Khundkar has extensive experience in managing public relations and communications, and organising events such as Bengal Classical Music Festival and Dhaka Makers. With a deep-rooted affinity for art, culture, and music, her work is driven by a continued commitment to nurturing and elevating Bangladesh’s evolving creative landscape. Fahd Sattar is the Founder and CEO of Aloki, a multidisciplinary cultural space in Dhaka working across the intersections of art, music, design, performance, and public programming. He is also the co-founder of Dhaka Makers, a platform dedicated to supporting independent artisans, designers, artists, and creative entrepreneurship within Bangladesh’s evolving cultural landscape. His work focuses on building accessible and community-driven cultural infrastructure through exhibitions, festivals, markets, performances, and cross-disciplinary collaborations. Through both Aloki and Dhaka Makers, Sattar has worked to create spaces that bring together artists, craftspeople, musicians, curators, and audiences in ways that encourage dialogue, experimentation, and new forms of cultural exchange. With a background rooted in creative direction, event-making, and independent cultural production, his practice explores how alternative platforms can contribute to the growth of contemporary culture and creative economies in Bangladesh.

With a commitment to reviving traditional crafts and fostering creative innovation, the third edition of Dhaka Makers is currently underway at Aloki in the capital. Kicked off on January 30, the five-day event has drawn attention with its unique zoned layout, vibrant activities, and engaging displays.   Building on the success of its previous editions, the festival offers a platform for fresh ideas, innovative showcases, and a deeper connection between creators and the community, according to its organizers. The opening ceremony was held on Thursday night, joined by Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, Additional Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer of City Bank; and Susan Vize, Country Representative of UNESCO. In their remarks, the speakers praised the initiative and its contributions and artistic tributes to the country’s creative and cultural landscape. While the formal opening marked a significant start, the real charm of the festival lies in its marketplaces, live demonstrations, and interactive exhibits, according to the organizers.

Spotlighting creativity, innovation, and the rich heritage of fashion and trends, the third and 2025 edition of Arka Fashion Week has begun in the capital’s Aloki, Tejgaon. With ‘Denim’ as the theme for the opening day Thursday , the event highlighted the fabric’s timeless versatility, innovative potential, and unifying appeal. One of the key highlights of this year’s Arka FW is the unique addition of Masterclasses. Running from 12-8 pm, the Masterclass series on its opening day brought together some of the brightest minds in fashion to discuss various aspects of design, innovation, and sustainability. Each session offered a unique perspective, allowing attendees to explore various topics. Among the experts who are conducting the masterclasses, designer Sobia Ameen led an engaging session focusing on the future of Bangladeshi fashion, in which she discussed sustainability, talent development, and the importance of representing local identity on both global and local stages. February 2025 Amazon Prime Originals Streaming Lineup: Exclusive Films and Web Series Another unique highlight of the day was the Flash Runway, held at 3:30 pm. Unlike traditional fashion shows, this dynamic event featured participants selected directly from the audience, chosen for how well they represented the theme of the day: Denim. The chosen individuals walked the runway wearing their own creative interpretations of denim, showcasing the versatility of the fabric through a variety of styles and expressions. The Design Lab, one of the major attractions at Arka FW, is a dynamic space where creativity thrives and imagination takes centre stage. This year, attendees can purchase any blank t-shirt, tote bag, scarf, or hat from the lab and personalize using a variety of customization techniques, including block printing, screen printing, hand-painting, patchwork, and more. Beyond creating their own designs, visitors can enjoy live performances from artists offering face painting and tattoo art, hair braiding, and caricature sketches. A dedicated space will also host live art demonstrations, sparking inspiration and adding an entertaining touch to the experience. The Marketplace at Arka Fashion Week is a dynamic hub celebrating the ingenuity and craftsmanship of Bangladeshi brands and artisans. It showcases an eclectic mix of established names like Aarong, Dheu, and Arabika, alongside emerging labels such as Nuzart, Dhaka Vintage, and House of SHUI, creating a rich intersection of tradition and modernity. 3rd edition of Arka Fashion Week to be held from Jan 16-19 With sustainability as a guiding philosophy, the Marketplace emphasizes promoting homegrown talent and supporting small-scale entrepreneurs. Participating brands and artisans such as Tasha, Protibha, Shoilee, and Dhaka Vintage represent diverse facets of local heritage while incorporating contemporary innovations; and by offering these designers and creators a platform to connect with a wider audience, Arka Fashion Week provides critical exposure to budding entrepreneurs, bridging the gap between tradition and the global fashion landscape, according to its organizers. Unlike the previous editions, this year the Marketplace moved outdoors to accommodate a larger number of stalls, offering visitors a chance to explore timeless traditions and contemporary innovations in an open setting, which Arka FW highlights as its commitment to elevating Bangladesh's fashion ecosystem while fostering meaningful connections and promoting sustainability. Designed to complement the vibrant energy of the event, the Food Zone on the second floor features a diverse lineup of brands including Arabika, Just Juice, Slurps, Waffle-Up, Fruitsicles, Couch Potato, Kora Fry, Birria Stop, Shei Nihari, Izakaya, KONA CAFE, and Lueur Bakery; offering something for every palate - from artisanal beverages to savoury delicacies and sweet treats. The opening day concluded with the performances of Arka x Bhai Bhai Takeover: Munasib, Deathwail, and Bhai Bhai Sound System. Besides the usual offerings alongside several impactful Masterclasses, the second day (Friday) of Arka FW 2025 is themed ‘Modern Contemporary’ and it will highlight bold, innovative designs by Daania, Royal Bengal Couture, DHEU by SaRa, and AMI Dhaka, Kathal among others on its Runway shows, reflecting the spirit of modern fashion. The four-day Arka Fashion Week 2025 will come to its closure on January 19, Sunday.