As director of the Goethe Institut, Dhaka from 1982 to1989, Peter was actively involved in giving a concrete shape to various fields of our culture, including film, theatre, painting and literature. He created a unique opportunity of a true inter-cultural dialogue in which both Bangladesh and Germany could share their views.

"To limit his activities to his professional duty alone would be understating his efforts. Without his generous support, alternative film movement in Bangladesh may not have come so far," said documentary filmmaker Manzare Hasin Murad at a programme remembering Peter Sewitz. The event was jointly organised by Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies (BFFS) and Goethe Institut at the German Cultural Centre.

Under Peter's direction Goethe institut arranged a workshop on documentary filmmaking involving famous film scholars of Germany in 1986, which had a far-reaching impact on documentary filmmaking in Bangladesh.

The speakers also recalled his cordial friendship with writer, activist Ahmed Sofa and artist SM Sultan, which made it easier for him to get close to the heart of Bangladeshi culture. Along with Ahmed Sofa, he had brought Sultan out of his 'hibernation period' in Norail and played a pivotal role in his revival as an artist and gaining international recognition.

Film director Morshedul Islam, film society activists Alam Koreshi, Sabbir Chowdhury and Zahirul Islam and the director of Goethe Institut, Torsten Oertel, among others, spoke on the occasion.

The discussion was followed by the screenings of Dhaka Rickshaw and Dhaka Tokai, two documentaries produced by the participants of the workshop conducted in 1986 by the Goethe Institut, Dhaka.