40 years of Bangladesh celebration in Paris

Alliances en résonance/ Le Bangladesh à Paris' in Paris

Bangladesh's 40 years of independence is being celebrated in France. Writes Faizul Khan Tanim

A month long cultural event is taking place in Paris, France. 'Alliances en résonance/ Le Bangladesh à Paris' has been organised on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence by the Alliances Française de Dhaka and Chittagong, Bangladesh Brand Forum and Fondation Alliance Française Paris, in partnership with the Government of Bangladesh, the Embassy of France in Bangladesh and the France Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFB). From March 31 onwards, until April 30, there will be various events designed to enhance Bangladesh’s image in a positive light abroad, especially in the arenas of art, music and culture.

It includes an exhibition of images by 13 Bangladeshi photographers, heritage and craft exhibition of fabrics, embroidery, tapestry and jute products, which is taking place in the Galerie of Fondation Alliance Française in Paris. A painting exhibition with 18 artists’ artwork is being held at La Cité Internationale des Arts from April 7 to 22. And there will be a concert that at the Theatre of Fondation Alliance Française in Paris on March 31 where the band 'Don’t Ask' will be performing to give the French a taste of Bangladesh.

Saliha Lefevre, director of the Alliance Francaise Dhaka stated that the idea for this event began forming in February 2010, “French people want to know about contemporary Bangladesh and want to have partnerships created via multi-aspect projects. This is branding Bangladesh as a whole – fostering arts, culture, music and business opportunities between the two countries which is why CCIFB got involved so vigorously.” Lefevre said more programmes like this will come and this is only the beginning.

Both Lefevre and the director of Alliance Francaise Chittagong Dr Samuel Berthet and Nazia Andaleeb Preema, project curator mentioned that it was a long process of communicating with the renowned artists and photographers of the country and then selecting them, which was decided by a panel of representation from both the Alliance Francaise Dhaka, Chittagong and Bangladesh Brand Forum.

Speaking to executive committee president of Alliance Francaise Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, he said “France is one of the first countries to have recognized Bangladesh as a nation. This event will exclusively showcase the development of Bangladesh as an emerging brand nation through art, culture, music and we have been working for the past one year to formulate this event. The finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith and the minister of Information and Cultural Affairs, Abul Kalam Azad will also be attending the inaugural function.”

Dr Rifat Rashid, director of CCIFB also had similar thoughts, saying “The significance of this event is immense in the sense that this will foster trade between the two countries. So, it's not only the culture and arts but Bangladesh as a brand being promoted with the presence of top business houses at the event.”

The participating artists are - Gautam Chakravorty, Hashem Khan, Iffat Ara Dewan, Kalidas Karmakar, Kazi Salahuddin Ahmed, Laila Shameen, Md Faqrul Islam, Mohammad Iqbal, Monirul Islam, Murshida Arzu Alpana, Murtaja Baseer, Mustafa Zaman, Nagarbashi Barman, Naima Hoque, Preema Nazia Andalib, Ranjit Das, Ronny Ahmed, Shahabuddin and Imitiaz Shohag while the photographers are GMB Akash, Jannatul Mawa, Jashim Salam, Bruno Valentin et Julien Pannetier (Agency Zeppelin/Sipa Presse), Shahidul Alam, Abir Abdullah, Munem Wasif, Saiful Huq Omi, Anwar Hossein and from Chittagong - Shoeb Farooque, Hasanuzzaman Prince, Azad Mahmud, Didarul Alam Chowdhury, Sumon Kanti Paul Himu.

Painter Ronny Ahmed is sending two of his work – a painting 10 feet by 11 feet called Archeology of Noah's Ark, which is a post-modern interpretation of Noah's Ark with local flavours as well. And also a 18 minutes video featuring socio-political musical performance based on absurdity called From The Grave They Come To The Grave They Go.

Ahmed expects that both these pieces are intellectually charged to give visual pleasure so that visitors will be able to communicate. Meanwhile Nazia Ahmed of Don't Ask said, “This is a huge opportunity for the band not only to perform in Paris but represent our country and be the flag waver. We need to portray the fact that our music has got that sheer magnetism which brings out that organic side of Bengal.” While GMB Akash said, “I hope that visitors will know about beautiful Bangladesh and its people through my work.”

Finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Abul Kalam Azad MP and the minister of Information and Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Mhd Mizarul Qayes, foreign secretary, Enamul Kabir, the Bangladeshi High Commissioner attended the various events taking place over the month. Also in attendance were Jean-Claude Jacq, secretary general of the Foundation Alliance Française and Nazia Andaleeb Preema, Saliha Lefevre, Abdul- Muyeed Chowdhury, Adil Husain the president of the executive committee of Alliance Francoise de Chittagong, Salman F Rahman, vice chairman of the Beximco Group, Tapan Chowdhury, MD of Square Pharma along with a large number of French art connoisseurs and Bangladeshis living in Paris have attended the first ever art and culture event showcasing Bangladeshi talents.

Beximco group and Airbus are platinum sponsors of the event, CMA-CGM is the silver sponsor and Biman Bangladesh Airlines is the official transport partner.

For more information please log on to http://www.fondation-alliancefr.org/, www.afdhaka.org, www.citedesartsparis.fr