President, PM hope to strengthen cultural unity through Asian art exhibition

1039

DHAKA, Aug 31, 2018 (BSS) – President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today hoped that the ’18th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2018′ would become a larger conference for local and foreign art-appraisers and cultural workers to help strengthen cultural bonding in the region.

They expressed the hope in separate messages on the occasion of the 18th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2018 starting tomorrow at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

In his message, President Abdul Hamid said the Asian Art Biennale is recognized as one of the most prestigious showcase of painting, sculpture and installation arts in this part of the world.

He said the colourful gala exhibition has been taking place since 1981 on a regular basis.

“In addition to our culture, the Asian Art Biennale in Dhaka will also enrich the artistry, history, heritage and culture of the region,” he added.

President Abdul Hamid said the Biennial Asian Fine Art exhibition is a potential platform for the development of talent and creativity of young artists.

He said through this exhibition, 123 artists of Bangladesh and 260 artists from 67 countries will get opportunity to exchange their views and experiences which will contribute to the development of arts and culture in the Asian region.

The President also hoped that the participating artists will be able to promote beauty, peace and aesthetics of art in every corner of the world.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her optimism that the exhibition will strengthen the collaboration and cultural unity in Asia and the Asia-Pacific region by providing the cultural practice.

She said the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, founded Shilpakala Academy in 1974 with a view to exercising, rearing and preserving our indigenous culture.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is playing a vital role to flourish the country’s art and culture since its establishment.

“We built National Theatre Hall and National Art Gallery at Shilpakala Academy during our 1996-2001 tenure. The initiatives have revitalized theatre and painting movements in the country,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said after establishing the National Theatre Hall and the National Art Gallery, her government took the initiative to build the Music and Dance Centre.

“After assuming power in 2009, we have been implementing various programs to develop our art and cultural sector,” she said.

She said all the initiatives are materialized today and the Shilpakala Academy has turned into a progressive center of the country’s art and cultural heritage.

She also hoped that the month-long exhibition becomes a larger conference for local and foreign art-appraisers and cultural workers.

The President and the Prime Minister wished the month-long 18th Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2018 all the success.