Bangladesh Embassy in Italy Showcases Country’s Creative Works at the 59th International Art Exhibition Venice
Oru Leonard
Bangladesh pavilion at the 59th International Art Exhibition (La Biennale di Venezia) was inaugurated amid great enthusiasm on 22nd April 2022.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy Mr. Md. Shameem Ahsan inaugurated the six-month long Venice Biennale which is considered globally one of the most prestigious platforms to showcase artistic creations by the prominent artists around the world.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Ms. Shabiha Pervin, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Co-coordinator, Government of Bangladesh; Mr. Liakat Ali Lucky, Director General, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and Commissioner; Mr. M J H Jabed, Consul General of Bangladesh in Milan; Ms. Viviana Vannucci, Italian Curator of Bangladesh Pavilion, art critic Professor Moinuddin Khalid, participating artists from Bangladesh and Italy, representatives from print and electronic media, a good number of art lovers from local Italian and Bangladesh community.
In his inaugural remarks, Ambassador Shameem Ahsan said that art has a universal language which transcends all boundaries and places humanity above everything. It can play a pivotal role in strengthening people to people contacts. He further said that participation at the Venice Biennale bears special significance as it coincides with ongoing celebration of the 50th year of Bangladesh- Italy Diplomatic relations. With vibrant art, rich culture and tradition, Bangladesh continues to make miracles in every sector under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Additional Secretary Ms. Shabiha Pervin said that Bangladesh has a rich tradition in art and culture and the Government is keen to promote the artists in a global context. She added that cultural development greatly complements economic and social developments. Mr. Liakat Ali Lucky lauded the potential, commitment and patriotism of Bangladeshi artists. He said that Bangladesh is a proud host of Asian Art Biennale in which over one hundred countries participate. Consul General MJ H Jabed in his remarks cited the example of US State Department which from the middle of last century initiated creative arts to project globally as an integral tool of their diplomacy.
He also noted that all major foreign policy objectives of the government such as sustainable development and inclusive growth can be lucidly illustrated to the global audience through creative works including art. Art critic Mr. Moinuddion Khalid briefly narrated to the audience the theme of the Bangladesh pavilion ‘Time: Mask and Unmask’.
The curator Ms. Viviana Vannucci said that Bangladeshi artists have greatly succeeded in drawing the attention of the Italian audience. She hoped that as in the three previous occasions, this year’s exhibition will also be a grand success. After the inauguration, the guests walked around the pavilion and interacted with the artists.
The participating artists are Mohammad Eunus, Jamal Uddin Ahmed, Mohammad Iqbal, Harun-Ar-Rashid, Sumon Wahed, Promity Hassan from Bangladesh and Marco Cassara, Franco Marrocco, and Giuseppe Diego Spinelli from Italy. A cocktail reception followed the inaugural ceremony in which art lovers participated in big numbers.
