Newly appointed Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy made a special visit to Cosmos Atelier 71 and Gallery Cosmos, the reputed printmaking studio and artistic space of Cosmos Foundation, on Thursday. She explored the ongoing exclusive intaglio process softground and stencil workshop by internationally acclaimed artist and art teacher, Professor Rokeya Sultana, titled “Impression of Rokeya's” at the Cosmos Centre. Read more: Printmaking workshop ‘Impression of Rokeya's’ underway at Cosmos Atelier 71 Tehmina Enayet, Director of Cosmos Atelier 71 and Gallery Cosmos, and Rokeya Sultana greeted Ambassador Masdupuy and exchanged their artistic visions, while Gallery Cosmos Artistic Director Sourav Chowdhury guided the studio and gallery tour while sharing the artistic initiatives and ongoing workshop to the ambassador. "We are overwhelmed to have the honorable French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy among us, here in our Cosmos Atelier 71 and Gallery Cosmos. France is the pioneering nation in the world of arts and also has been one of our great diplomatic allies, and the ambassador’s maiden visit in our art space will continue strengthening the remarkable bond and friendship between the two nations," Tehmina Enayet told UNB. Professor Rokeya Sultana said, "It is our great honor that Ambassador Masdupuy visited this exclusive printmaking workshop, and I along with all of our participating artists are enthralled with her presence and enthusiasm regarding our works." Read more: Impression of Rokeya's: Intaglio process workshop at Cosmos Atelier71 from Monday Inaugurated on January 23, the workshop is featuring young and prominent artists from home and beyond – Asmita Alam Shammy, Roosevelt Benjamin, Chhobi Zulfiqar, Rifat Jahan Kanta, Farzana Rahman Bobby, Mohammad Rezwanur Rahman, Bacchu Miah Arif, Kamruzzoha, SM Ehsan and Indian artist Sukla Poddar. The workshop also features four guest artists – renowned painter Afrozaa Jamil Konka, eminent photojournalist-artist Nasir Ali Mamun, veteran artist and freedom fighter Biren Shome and journalist-artist Zahangir Alom – alongside participating guest artists Sam Jamil Julian, Rumessa Mailloux and Sourav Chowdhury.

The Sammilito Islami Dal, an alliance of Islamist parties, has demanded sending back the French ambassador to Dhaka in protest against comments made by Emmanuel Macron on Islam.