The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

A month long international photography festival titled 'Chobi Mela V,' largest photography festival in Asia, will be held in Dhaka from January 30. Drik will organise the festival. The works of top class photographers of Bangladesh and all over the world will be exhibited at the festival.

During the festival photography exhibitions will be held at the National Museum, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, British Council, Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Drik Gallery, Alliance Francaise, Goethe Institute, Asiatic Gallery of Fine Arts and Russian Cultural Centre at a time.

This year's theme of the festival is 'Freedom.' Mahasweta Devi will inaugurate the festival as chief guest, while Noam Chomsky and Stuart Hall will be also present on the video conference.

A total of 62 exhibitions will be held where photographs from 33 countries will be on display in the shows. Photographs from South Africa, Argentina, Nepal, France, UK, Denmark, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Lebanon, China, Denmark, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Iraq, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, The Netherlands, USA, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia and Sweden will be displayed in the exhibitions.

This was disclosed at a press briefing at Drik Gallery in the city yesterday. Director of the festival Shahidul Alam and curatorial director Rezaur Rahman, among others, were present at the briefing. Country's renowned photographer Shahidul Alam said, "This year the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' will be given to Ricardo Rangel of Mozambique for his contribution in photography. Rangel photographs street scenes, landscapes, everyday activities of individuals and night scenes in the cafes and restaurants in Mozambique."

"Rangel's work testifies to his great involvement with the people of Mozambique's multi-cultural society. The photographs are pervaded by compassion for those portrayed and fury at injustices," said Shahidul Alam. Many of his photographs were banned from publication by colonial censors and many of his negatives were destroyed by servants of the previous government, he added.

Two mobile photography exhibitions will be held on 10 rickshaw vans during the festival time. Therefore, seminars and workshops on photography will also be held. The exhibition will also take place some unconventional galleries like Karwan Bazar underpass, Kalpana Boarding, Shankhari Bazar and Chobir Hat in Dhaka University, said the organisers.