United News of Bangladesh

The 123rd birth anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam will be celebrated in the country on Wednesday in a befitting manner. Known and regarded as the ‘rebel poet’ for his iconoclastic and majestic literary creations, Kazi Nazrul Islam was born at Churulia village of Burdwan in the Indian state of West Bengal in 1899. Nazrul through his fiery poems had inspired people to fight against injustice and repression of the colonial rule. Aiming to observe the glorious day amid festivities without the fear of COVID-19 for the first time in two years, the maximum number of government and non-government organizations and different cultural platforms chalked out separate programmes with cultural performances and discussions on the life and works of the rebel poet.  This year, the government has announced the theme of the birth anniversary celebration of the national poet as the “Rebel’s Centenary.” According to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the events observing the 123rd birth anniversary of the national poet will begin with placing floral wreaths at the grave of the poet at Dhaka University at 6:30 am.  State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid and Secretary Abul Mansur will be present on the occasion alongside other officials of the Ministry and its associated wings and departments. The main event marking the national poet's 123rd birth anniversary will take place at Cumilla Birchandra Public Library and City Auditorium premises (Town Hall) at 11 am.  Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud will be present at the opening ceremony as the chief guest, which will also be joined by Nazrul’s granddaughter Khilkhil Kazi as a special guest. Country’s leading cultural institution Chhayanaut is set to organize a two-day "Nazrul Uthsab '' from May 25 at the Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban, Dhanmondi in the capital.  This year, the event is welcoming in-person attendance for the first time in the last two years, and the festival will be featuring performances inspired by Nazrul's literature and songs at Chhayanaut's auditorium at 7 pm. The festival will also be aired on Chhayanaut's official Facebook page and YouTube channel. On Tuesday, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU) in Trishal, Mymensingh, inaugurated a three-day celebration programme, featuring discussion, awards ceremony, photography exhibition and cultural programmes.  Also read:Nazrul’s ‘Bidrohi’ recited by hundred people in a chorus in Chuadanga Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar was present as the chief guest at JKKNIU’s Gahi Sammyer Gaan Mancha on the first day’s event at 11 am. Vice-Chancellor Prof.Soumitra Shekhar chaired the event, which was also joined by Poet Muhammad Nurul Huda, Director General of Bangla Academy as the special guest. On the occasion, eminent Nazrul sangeet exponent Sujit Mostafa was awarded with the Nazrul Padak. The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) organized a solo music show of renowned Nazrul exponent Khairul Anam Shakil on Tuesday. The event, titled “Nazrul Sangeet Sandhya” was held at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy at 6:30 pm. Many other organizations and institutions including Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Kazi Nazrul Institute and more will be organizing special events, marking the 123rd birth anniversary of the poet. Several television channels, radio stations and online platforms are organizing special programmes, marking the occasion. Newspapers will publish special supplements on the occasion. According to the Nazrul Institute, Kazi Nazrul wrote 2,600 songs, 600 poetry, three novels, and 43 articles in a career spanning 21 years before losing his speech. After the death of his father, Kazi Nazrul obtained a job as a caregiver and also worked as a muezzin at a mosque to support his family. At the age of nine, he had to drop out of school to join a Churulia-based professional ‘leto' company. He was introduced to Bangali and Sanskrit literature while working for the group. He returned to school a year later and enrolled at Matharun English School, but dropped out again in Class VI due to poverty. After a while, police officer Kazi Rafizullah took him in at his home in Trishal, Mymensingh, and enrolled him in Class VII at Darirampur School. Serving the British Army in 1917 as a soldier, Kazi Nazrul started his literary career within a few years. His cult-classic poem ‘Bidrohi’ (The Rebel) was published in 1921. A year later, he started a fortnightly magazine named ‘Dhumketu’ (The Comet). His nationalist participation in the Indian Independence Movement landed him in the hands of colonial British authorities on several occasions.  While in prison, Kazi Nazrul authored the 'Rajbandir Jabanbandi' (Deposition of a Political Prisoner), and his creations later encouraged Bangladesh Liberation War. Freedom, humanity, love and revolution are the constant themes in Kazi Nazrul's majestic literary creations. He was against all sorts of religious, caste-based, and gender-based discrimination and extremism. He wrote short stories, novels and essays, but his songs and poems are his most critically acclaimed literary creations. He popularised Bengali ghazal melodies, and is noted for his liberal usage of Arabic and Persian terms in his writings. Kazi Nazrul created a new genre in music called ‘Nazrul Geeti’, a collection of 4,000 songs that he wrote and created the music for, many of which were recorded on HMV. In 1942, Kazi Nazrul began to lose his voice and memory due to an unexplained ailment. Later, a medical team in Vienna identified his illness as Pick's disease, a rare and incurable neurodegenerative disease. His family travelled to Bangladesh at the invitation of then Bangladeshi government and settled down in Dhaka in 1972. For his iconic contribution to Bangla literature and culture, Dhaka University awarded him an honorary post-doctoral degree in 1974. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1976.  Kazi Nazrul breathed his last in Dhaka on August 29, 1976. Also read: Remembering Nazrul, a poet par excellence! President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages highlighting the colourful life of the poet and his contributions to Bangla language and literature. In his message, the President said, “Nazrul’s write-ups inspired us in all democratic movements including the anti-British movement, the Language Movement, the Mass Uprising in 1969, and the Liberation War.” “I firmly believe that the new generation will be able to enrich themselves through the practice of Nazrul and will play a role in building a happy and prosperous ‘Sonar Bangla’ with patriotism and honesty.” In her message, the Prime Minister said, “I believe Nazrul's write-ups will play a role in building a non-communal, peaceful, happy, prosperous and modern Bangladesh.” She also wished success of all programmes marking the day.

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.

German cultural institution Goethe-Institut Bangladesh and HerStory Foundation are jointly initiating a co-creation project titled 'The Myth Bridge,' bringing together a group of Bangladeshi and German participants to write a modern day myth by playing out selected legendary heroines. The game will be played over the course of four-days in Dhaka and is based on Dungeons & Dragons. The game sessions, held at the Goethe-Institut from May 12-15 will be directed by Game Master, Wasi Noor Azam. Also read: 'Golden Jubilee Bangladesh Concert' held at Madison Square Garden in New York Regarding the unique venture, organizers said that 'The Myth Bridge' connects nine female characters from German and Bengali folklore, brought to life, across space and time, through a live-action simulation. The initiative involves a group of writers, illustrators, editors and translators and will result in a publication of the modern-day feminist myth and exhibition both in the digital and physical realms, according to the organizers. On Sunday, May 15 the finale of 'The Myth Bridge' game will be played to a live audience. According to Goethe-Institut Bangladesh and HerStory Foundation, this is going to be the first live Dungeons & Dragons game in Bangladesh. The event is open to all upon registration on the FB event page. Players will act out the final act of the story, bringing their adventure to an end. In the following months the editors and creative director will work to create a short graphic novel out of the events of the 4-day game. Also read: Again in the City, a new gift from artist "HOBEKI?" The final outcome of 'The Myth Bridge' project will be published for the Dhaka Lit Fest in early 2023. In the live action game, Sayeef Mahmud will play BON BIBI, Kazi Istela Imam will play CHADER BURI, Akramul Momen will play BEHULA, Saad Z Hossain will play BIBI MAA, and Salzar Rahman will play THE FOX from Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Lina Ehrentraut will play BRUNHILDE, Maki Shimizu will play REPUNZEL, Mia Sophie Oberländer will play FRAU PRECHTA, and Malwine Stauss will play SCHNEEWITTEN (Snow White) from Germany. As legends and folklore are told and spread across generations, the stories manifest themselves into worlds in 'The Myth Bridge.' According to the organizers, 'The Myth Bridge' is a reality that hosts stories where the characters come to life. Each world created in the Myth Bridge is a story of its own, and the more the story is told the more bridges it has to connect itself with the rest of 'The Myth Bridge.' Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop role-playing game made all the way back in the 1970s. Players create or choose a character and go through a fantasy themed adventure where the game can stretch as far as the imagination can go. The deciding factor of the outcome of the game is up to the imagination and ingenuity of the players, and of course, their luck with the polyhedral dice.

'Golden Jubilee Bangladesh Concert' was held at the world-famous Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York, USA on Friday, marking the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh's Independence and convey the potential and national image of Digital Bangladesh to the world. This special concert was held at the initiative of the Department of Information and Communication Technology and the management of the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority. Echoing the theme "Let the Music Speak," popular Bangladeshi band Chirkutt performed on the same stage alongside world-famous German band Scorpions at the historic event. Also read: Concert to celebrate 50 yrs of Bangladesh independence in NY on Friday Honouring Bangladesh by playing the national anthem at the beginning, the concert was joined by around 20,000 concert-goers at the world-famous venue, including many Bangladeshi expatriates and the global music lovers from different places around the world.

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it is a sacred duty for Muslims. Zakat is a way to purify your wealth and help those in need. It is a way to show your thankfulness to Allah for His blessings, and it is a way to help those who are less fortunate. Zakat is an important part of our faith, and it is a way to make the world a better place. Let's discuss how is Zakat calculated and why is Zakat important for purifying wealth and eradicating poverty? What is Zakat?  Zakat is an Arabic word which means "that which purifies." Zakat is the proportion of wealth that a Muslim is obliged to contribute to the community as a religious duty each year. However, the amount varies from person to person, but it is 2.5% of the wealth one possesses above the Nisab. The Nisab depends on the minimum wealth you have in a different category. For example, the Nisab amount for gold is 3 ounces or 87.48 grams; for silver, 21 ounces or 612.36 grams. Apart from this, Zakat is also incurred on your financial assets and savings that are not sued for your living expenses. Read Lessons of Ramadan: What does the holy month teach us? How to Calculate Zakat? Zakat is like taxes, and the calculation is a bit tricky as we do not pay throughout the year. To calculate, you will need to go through some steps. Tally Up All the Income Total up all your source of income and the assets you have owned for the last year. The sources include Gold & Silver, Cash, Investment Property*, Debts Owed to You*, Shares & Stocks*, Business Assets*, and Investment & Saving Funds*. All these sums up your total income for last year. Items marked with an asterisk (*) have some special instructions and considerations. You should check this Zakat Guide Booklet for details. Read Top 10 Historical Mosques in Bangladesh Calculate your Living Expenses and Immediate Needs This will include, Debts You Owe*, Personal & Living Expenses, and Business Expenses*. All these should be your expenses for last year. You will need these for the final calculation. Find out your total Zakatable Wealth Now, you just need to subtract the total expense from the total income. So, the calculation will be your last year's total income – your last year's living expense=, Your Zakatable wealth. Now find out if it is above the Nisab amount. However, whether you have gold or silver, you will need to find out the current cash amount of your Nisab threshold. Read How Model Mosques chime with Mujib Centenary: At the heart of each community If your Zakatable Wealth exceeds the Nisab threshold, you need to pay Zakat. But, if your Zakatable wealth is less than the Nisab threshold, you don't need to pay Zakat. The Final Calculation 2.5% of your Zakatable Wealth is your actual Zakat. Your Zakatable Wealth x 2.5%= total Zakat you need to pay for the year.

Having captured the public's attention through thoughtful graffiti artworks, the rebellious youth character ‘Subodh’ by mysterious, anonymous artist "HOBEKI?" has recently emerged again in the capital. The new graffiti was drawn on a wall on the way to Mirpur-12 ceramic road in the capital, which portrays a woman with a blue eyepatch in one of her eyes while adorned with a flower in her hair, standing against a black background, raising both hands and trying to call for an end to war. A hashtag with the phrase “stop war” is also written on the graffiti, right above the signature “Artist: HOBEKI?". Also read: Coronavirus: Gulshan graffities thank frontline workers

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has arranged the 113th edition of popular wrestling competition ‘Jabbar er Boli Khela’ after two years of hiatus caused by the Covid pandemic. The competition will be held Monday afternoon on the road of Laldighi Zilla Parishad Market premises under a special arrangement. Hundreds of wrestlers from different regions including Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Noakhali and Cumilla will take part in the competition. Traders from different parts of the country have come to the fair with various household and traditional products. Meanwhile, due to the Boli Khela and 3-day Baishakhi Mela vehicle movement has been restricted for several days in Laldighi, KC De Road, Boksirhat, Cinema Palace, Amanat Shah Road, Khatunganj-Asadganj Road and other areas. Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has taken extensive security measures and CCTV cameras have been installed across the areas. In addition, members of the white-clad police, DB, SWAT team will also be in charge of maintaining overall security. CMP Deputy Commissioner (South) Mohammad Jasim Uddin said four check-posts are being set up by Kotwali police station to strengthen security at the fair. 'Boli Khela’ was introduced in the early 20th century by Abdul Jabbar Saodagar, a local trader. He wanted to cultivate a sport that would prepare youths to fight the British. The traditional form of wrestling was named after Jabbar. The first competition was held in 1909.

Standup comedy is an intimate and terrifying performing style available. Mastering standup comedy takes years of devotion and hard work—not to mention a thick skin and the willingness to persist regardless of how many times you fail. However, through perseverance you can develop this ability. This article will cover everything you need to know about being a stand up comedian, from training to writing jokes. What is Stand Up Comedy? In the simplest terms, standup comedy is a kind of comedy in which a comic takes a position on stage in front of an audience and performs a pre-rehearsed routine—typically a combination of jokes and lengthier amusing anecdotes. Although content and performance style vary widely amongst comedians, there are a few aspects of standup comedy as an art form that is fairly universal. Standup comedy is a one-man show. Traditionally, standup comedy has been a one-man or one-woman act. If you're more at ease performing in a group or ensemble setting, there are alternative styles of humour—such as sketch comedy and improv—that will satisfy your desire. Read Best Comedy Movies of All Time: Humour in Films through Century Becoming a Professional Stand Up Comedian Watch, and Learn Comedians are obsessed with developing and delivering the finest content possible, so if you want to join their ranks and become a comedian, it's time to think and behave like one. The most effective approach to do this is to watch as much standup comedy as possible. Even if you are unable to attend a comedy club, there are plenty of other venues where you may witness outstanding humour. Numerous comedians have a Netflix, HBO, or Dry Bar Comedy standup special. YouTube is another limitless well of material for standup comedians. If you have a favourite comedian, try to catch their first set and compare it to a later set. You'll notice how almost every comedian's set selection evolves over time. This is because they are also watching, observing, and gaining knowledge. Read Chris Rock takes to comedy mic, still processing Oscars slap Take a Class It's not as if you can take a class and instantaneously become humorous. It does not function that way, but it is a nice starting point. A compelling incentive to enrol in a comedy class is to learn from industry experts. As a newcomer, you are certain to make errors, but learning from others' errors is also a good idea. Acquainting yourself with the errors made by pros in the comedy business can assist you in avoiding them. Additionally, you will be part of a community of amusing individuals who will exchange ideas and learn from one another's experiences. You'll have an audience with which to rehearse your performance prior to attending your first standup comedy event. Given the ease with which almost anything can be found online, enrolling in an online comedy class is an excellent method to kick-start your enthusiasm for humour. Discover how to plan and compose your jokes, how to conquer stage fear and the process of preparing a performance. Read Top 10 English Comedy Movies released in 2021 Practice Take a cue from Nike and Just Do It. One of the most common anxieties of standup comedians is stage fright. Attending an open mic allows you to practice your jokes without concern of offending the paying audience. As is the case with many successful comedians, you will have butterflies in your stomach each time you take the stage, but the laughs and laughing will help improve your confidence along the road. You can simply discover local comedy clubs to perform at or even rehearse your acts through virtual open mics. While internet audiences may not have the same impact as live audiences, you will at least have a sense of whether your jokes are hilarious or not. As the audience is mostly composed of other comedians, it's an excellent opportunity to interact with other standups and network for more professional engagements. This way, you can rehearse your acts and get experience performing in front of an audience while networking with other comedians. Read How do thoughts and emotions affect your health? Find Your Voice Because standup comedy is the most intimate type of humour, you must have a real routine. While you may be tempted to emulate your favorite standup comedians, this is not the best method to begin a career in comedy. Reflect on yourself and your life and bring to the stage what identifies you. By asking yourself a few questions, you may facilitate the process of discovering your genuine voice, which does not have to be identical to your true self but should complement it. Start Writing Put an end to your contemplation and procrastination. There is no such thing as a perfect day, so begin writing now. If you've benefited from a comedy class, now is the moment to put your newfound knowledge to the test. Make observations about your environment and personal experiences. Consider what irritates you and write about it. Read Spending Money for Happiness: 10 Effective Ways It will soon assume the shape of a joke. You will see your inconsistencies and develop self-awareness; here is where the comedy will be found. Do you rationalise your judgments of others or of yourself? There is a comedy hidden somewhere in that arrangement. Your jokes might be satirical or self-deprecating, but they will undoubtedly win over the audience. There are several ways to begin your standup comedy career, but the critical first step is to begin. Each day, watch a variety of humour broadcasts, read books, make observations, and compose jokes. Conclusion Standup comedy is a passion-driven professional path that, with the appropriate flow, may evolve into an acting career. As a standup comedian, you may polish your humorous voice, establish a unique connection with your audience, and even begin a career in acting. Read Top 10 Happiest Countries in the World in 2022 Due to its distinctiveness, it is undoubtedly one of the ten most intriguing occupations you have never heard of. Life is just as serious as you make it, so maybe it's time to take things a bit less seriously and inject some humour into the mix.

The importance of the market/ shopping mall has increased at the same rate as the importance of shopping has increased in modern urban civilization. Over the years many shopping malls have been built in Dhaka, and the appeal of the Dhaka New Market has not diminished. This shopping market remains full throughout the year in the presence of buyers. While clothing items are mostly sold in New Market, you will get other household items too. Let's know the tradition and history of the Dhaka New Market. Location Near Old Dhaka, the New Market is located in the northern part of Azimpur. Anyone knows by its name and the market is also located in some portion of Mirpur Road. History of Dhaka New Market Construction of the market was started by CBD in 1952 on 35 acres of land during East Pakistan Prime Minister Nurul Amin’s period. Its construction was completed in 1954 and the establishment of this market paved the way for the modernization of Dhaka. Old Dhaka was very densely populated and disturbed. Therefore, Nurul Amin's modernization project was very limited, so people protested against it. Some believe that Dhaka New Market and Shahbag Hotel were built for Nurul Amin's family only. Read 100 Years of Rocket Paddle Steamer: A Pride and Heritage of Bangladesh Architecture The New Market area is triangular shaped with high minaret-like arches on three sides. The market has a total of 440 shops and a triangular lane in the middle. The total area of this market is 35 acres. (1,40,000 sq. meter.). In the eighties, the northern part of the market established a separate section New Super Market for crockeries and Banalota Market for kitchen utensils. A grocery market was also established in the D block. Later 60 new shops got allotment by the mosque. The new supermarket for crockeries, the rough market for kitchen utensils, a unique section for miscellaneous items and a grocery market in D Block added a new dimension on the northern part of New Market. There was a beautiful garden on the border of this market, which was later converted into a mosque and allotted 72 new shops by the mosque. Read Ukraine: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Traditions and Present Condition In the 50s and 60s, New Market was one of the most beautiful places to shop and have a good time. There was a Novelty ice cream shop during that time and it was one of the most popular places among the youth. This is why the place got popular. Although Dhaka is a conservative city, Newmarket was a safe place for young people to hang out with their family and friends. Further, college and university students used to spend their evenings traveling to New Market. The novel was about an ice cream shop here. The shop was one of the most popular places among the youth. This is why this area is popular. Despite the many evolutions and inclusions that have taken place over the past half-century, New Market is still the "NEW" to everyone. Over the years the market expanded its reach to meet the demand, but it did not modernize. From grocery to books, magazines, jewelry, glasses, local and western crockery, and home furnishings, Newmarket is always ready to meet all your potential needs. Read Benefits of Reading Habit for Mind and Body Products You Can Get New Market is famous for the availability of good quality products at a cheap price. You can buy clothing, cosmetics, shoes, boys' T-shirts, shirts, pants, etc. From sofa covers to home curtains, bedsheets, vases, wall mats, shoes, travel bags, and other utensils can be easily found in this market. Whether it is a shop or a sidewalk, New Market is known in Dhaka for buying cheap items. Further, if you want to get the latest western fashion, you can definitely come to Newmarket. Our domestic garment factories are supplying quality garments to many countries in the western world, including the United States. You may also get those products in New Market. A large number of people in Bangladesh have become accustomed to Western-style clothing. Under the huge roof of New Market there is a huge collection of anything you want. Read Top 10 Historical Mosques in Bangladesh Final Words Dhaka New Market remains the go-to shopping destination for Dhaka dwellers. With a wide variety of clothing, jewelry, and other items, shoppers will find something to buy no matter what the occasion. Whether it is for yourself or as a gift, New Market is the place to go.

For the first time in the 127-year history of the Venice Biennale, the world’s oldest and most important contemporary art fair features a majority of female and gender non-conforming artists, under the curatorial direction of Cecilia Alemani. The result is a Biennale that puts the spotlight on artists who have been long overlooked despite prolific careers, while also investigating themes including gender norms, colonialism and climate change. Alemani’s main show, titled “The Milk of Dreams,” alongside 80 national pavilions opens Saturday after a one-year pandemic delay. The art fair runs through Nov. 27. It is only the fourth of the Biennale’s 59 editions under female curation. Women took the top Golden Lion awards announced Saturday for best national pavilion, which went to the United Kingdom pavilion and artist Sonia Boyce. Best participant in the main exhibition was won by U.S. sculptor Simone Leigh. The predominance of women among the more than 200 artists that Alemani chose for the main show “was not a choice, but a process,” Alemani, a New York-based Italian curator, said this week. “I think some of the best artists today are women artists,” she told The Associated Press. “But also, let’s not forget, that in the long history of the Venice Biennale, the preponderance of male artists in previous editions has been astonishing.” “Unfortunately, we still have not solved many issues that pertain to gender,” Alemani said. Conceived during the coronavirus pandemic and opening as war rages in Europe, Alemani acknowledged that art in such times may seem “superficial.” But she also asserted the Biennale’s role over the decades as a “sort of seismographer of history ... to absorb and record also the traumas and the crises that go well beyond the contemporary art world.” Read: Hijab-wearing Somali-US model takes step back from industry In a potent reminder, the Russian pavilion remains locked this year, after the artists withdrew following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Nearby, sandbags have been erected in the center of the Giardini by the curators of the Ukrainian Pavilion, and surrounded by stylized posters of fresh artwork by Ukrainian artists representing the horrors of the two-month-old war. American artist Leigh is among the women getting long-overdue recognition in mid-career at this Biennale. She is both headlining the U.S. pavilion and setting the tone at the main exhibit with a towering bust of a Black woman that Alemani originally commissioned for the High Line urban park in New York City. Fusun Onur, a pioneer of conceptual art in Turkey, at age 85 has filled the Turkish pavilion with wiry cats and mice set up in storyboard tableaus that confront modern-day threats like the pandemic and climate change. While proud of her role representing Turkey and the work she produced during the pandemic in her home overlooking the Bosphorus, she acknowledged that the honor was late in coming. “Why it is so I don’t know,” Fusan said by phone from Istanbul. “Women artists are working hard, but they are not always recognized. It is always men first.” New Zealand is represented by third gender artist Yuki Kihara, whose installation “Paradise Camp,” tells the story of Samoa’s Fa’afafine community of people who don’t accept the gender they were assigned at birth. The exhibition features photos of the Fa’afafine mimicking paintings of Pacific islanders by post-impressionist French artist Paul Gaugin, reclaiming the images in a process the artist refers to as “upcycling.” Read: "Stone Time": Bipasha Hayat’s solo exhibition begins at Gallery Chitrak “Paradise Camp is really about imagining a Fa’afafine utopia, where it shutters colonial hetero-normality to make way for an Indigenous world view that is inclusive and sensitive to the changes in the environment,” Kihara said. The image of a hyper-realistic sculpture of a futuristic female satyr giving birth opposite her satyr partner, who has hung himself, sets a grim post-apocalyptic tone at the Danish Pavilion, created by Uffe Isolotto. The Nordic nations of Norway, Sweden and Finland this year turned over their shared pavilion to the Sami, one of Europe’s oldest Indigenous groups, touching on a different idea of nation as the Sami ancestral arctic homeland now spans four nations. The Sami Pavilion offered a more hopeful path out of the apocalypse, with artwork and performances depicting the struggle against colonialism by the Sami people, while also celebrating their traditions. “We have in a way discovered how to live within the apocalyptic world and do it while, you know, maintaining our spirits and our beliefs and systems of value,″ said co-curator Liisa-Ravna Finbog. This year’s Golden Lion for lifetime achievement awards go to German artist Katherina Fritsch, whose life-like Elephant sculpture stands in the rotunda of the main exhibit building in the Giardini, and Chilean poet, artist and filmmaker Cecilia Vicuna, whose portrait of her mother’s eyes graces the Biennale catalog cover. Vicuna painted the portrait while the family was in exile after the violent military coup in Chile against President Salvador Allende. Now 97, her mother accompanied her to the Biennale. “You see that her spirit is still present, so in a way that painting is like a triumph of love against dictatorship, against repression, against hatred,” Vicuna said.