C T Online Desk: Bangladesh has been participating in the prestigious Venice International Art Biennale in Italy, said a press release.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy under the guidance of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took part in this event. The overarching theme of this year’s biennale is ‘Foreigners Everywhere’.
The Bangladesh pavilion under the caption ‘Yearning for Harmony: In the Crisis of the Civilization’ was formally inaugurated in the touristic city of Venice on 18 April 2024 in the presence of a huge number of artists, art lovers and critics, journalists, member of the expatriate Bangladeshi community, educationist, and high officials.
A 6-member Bangladeshi delegation led by the Director General of Shilpakala Academy Liaquat Ali Lucky attended the inauguration ceremony.
Consul General of Bangladesh in Milan M J H Jabed, Honorary Consul of Bangladesh in Venice Avv. Fabrizio Ippolito D’Avino, Curator of the Bangladesh pavilion Viviana Vannucci also attended the ceremony.
In his address to the foreign audience, the Director General of Shilpakala Academy said that Bangladesh is a proud participant at the Venice Biennale which is the world’s premiere art event.
The artworks displayed at the Bangladesh pavilion are done by both celebrated and promising artists of the country.
He informed that Bangladesh also hosts the Asian Art Biennale which has drawn the attention of art connoisseurs from across the world. He invited Italian artists and art critics to attend future art events to be organized in Bangladesh.
The Consul General of Bangladesh in Milan noted that during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s last visit to Italy, a cultural Cooperation Agreement was signed between Bangladesh and Italy under which two friendly countries are expected to broaden cooperation in the cultural domain.
He also noted that Bangladesh has a rich history in art which needs to be showcased before the global community.
Jabed also stated that Cultural Diplomacy is one of the priority areas in the Public Diplomacy endeavour of the present government. From the Bangladesh delegation Ms. Nafriza Shayma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Ekushey Padak awardee artist Professor Shahjahan Ahmed Bikash spoke on the occasion.
This is the 5th consecutive time that Bangladesh has been participating in the Venice Biennale. The 6-month long event will continue till the end of November 2024.
