A five-day cultural festival titled Nepal-Bangladesh Art and Culture Festival 2023 began at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital on Tuesday.
The festival has been jointly organised by the embassy of Nepal in Dhaka and the Bangladesh-Nepal Friendship Society marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Nepal.
The festival is featuring a painting and photography exhibition, cultural programmes and discussion.
Education minister Dipu Moni was present as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony held at the National Art Gallery Auditorium of the BSA.
Foreign affairs ministry secretary, west, Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury, Nepalese ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy secretary Salahuddin Ahammad, Bangladesh-Nepal Friendship Society president Moshiur Ahmed and Nepali artist Nagendra Prasad Paudyal spoke at the programme.
Dipu Moni said that the festival would strengthen relations between Bangladesh and Nepal.
‘I would like to thank the organisers for their efforts to promote cultural exchange between the two countries,’ said Dipu Moni, adding, ‘Besides promoting cultural exchange between the two countries, the festival will play an important role to showcase the rich and diverse cultural heritages of Bangladesh and Nepal.’
Ghanshyam Bhandari said, ‘Through painting and photography exhibitions alongside cultural performances, the festival will present the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the two countries.’
Moshiur Ahmed said, ‘The festival will provide a platform to creative people of the two countries for exchanging views and ideas.’
On the opening day of the festival, a five-day painting and photography exhibition was also inaugurated at the Gallery VII of National Art Gallery.
One hundred and twenty three artworks and photographs by 83 Bangladeshi and Nepali artists and photographers are being displayed at the exhibition.
The artworks and photographs depict everyday life, culture, religion, natural beauty, festivals and others.
One of the displayed artworks titled Ruposhi Bangla, an acrylic painting by Bangladeshi artist Abdul Mannan, depicts the landscape and scenic beauty of the country.
Another displayed artwork titled Women on Palanquin, a pigment work on canvas by Nepali artist Gita Kumari Thakur, shows four people carrying a palanquin.
Bangladeshi photographer Nafis Ahmed Nadvi’s photograph titled Tea Garden shows women tea garden workers returning from the garden with tea leaves while Nepali photographer Bikas Rauniar’s photograph titled The Beauty of Nepal depicts the natural beauty of Nepal.
The exhibition will remain for visitors from 11:00am to 8:00pm.
The festival will feature cultural programme at the National Theatre Hall of the BSA at 6:30pm today.
Bangladeshi and Nepali artistes will present cultural performances at the programme. State minister for cultural affairs KM Khalid will be present as chief guest at the event.
Jatiya Sangsad deputy speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku will be present as chief guest at the closing ceremony of the festival scheduled to be held on March 18.
