Celebrating Bangladesh's QUIJOTAS
“Don Quixote”, written by Spanish wordsmith Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, may not be a household book in this part of the world, but it is considered one of the most significant works of literature ever written. Marking the 400th death anniversary of Cervantes, the Spanish Embassy in Dhaka and Bengal Foundation jointly organised a virtual photography exhibition, titled “Quijotas of Bangladesh”.
The exhibition celebrates 10 women from Bangladesh, the 'Quijotas' (female of Quixote), who have displayed characteristics associated with Don Quixote -- brave, righteous, and breaking stereotypes. These women have contributed to society with their idealistic view and ability of pursuing endless battles.
The virtual exhibition, available on the website of Bengal Foundation, was inaugurated on Friday at the Dhaka Club in presence of distinguished guests, featured 'Quijotas', artists and journalists. Alejandra López García, Deputy Head of Mission for the Embassy of Spain in Dhaka spoke about the concept of the exhibition and its connection to Cervantes, saying the aim of the project was to show the Spanish audience that “Bangladesh is more than just natural disasters and garment workers.”
Luva Nahid Choudhury, Director General of Bengal Foundation, said “Sometimes, we cannot assess the true value we have, and it's best seen from an outsider's point of view”, thanking the Spanish embassy for the initiative, and saluting the “women who have transcended barriers.”
The exhibition features photographs and voice tracks of the ten women, who range from legendary photographer Syeda Khanam, the internationally-acclaimed first female photojournalist of Bangladesh, to Krishna Rani Sarker, the captain of the Bangladesh U-16 women's football team that brought honours for the country. Other featured women are contemporary artist Taeba Begum Lipi; Nishat Majumder, the first Bangladeshi woman to scale Mount Everest; garment workers' rights activist Nazma Akhter; Parvin Nasima Nahar Putul, one of the first female professional athletes of the country; Shahana Afroz, a pioneer of ultrasound and nuclear medicine in Bangladesh; Syeda Rizwana Hasan, a prominent environmental activist and one of the leading young lawyers at the Supreme Court; Kohinoor Yeasmin, the CEO of women's support NGO Tarango, and Amena Begum, a housewife who manages a herd of 20 cattle and is the main bread-earner of her family.
Comments