French Week celebrations in Chittagong

In collaboration with Chittagong University, Alliance Française de Chittagong has organised the second edition of the French Week n the port city to celebrate French culture in all its diversity. The five-day long French Week features various events including a graphic exhibition.

“As an artist and a graphic designer it really appeals to me to see the streets of Chittagong and an array of signs, words and letters everywhere that I cannot read but still touches my heart. I think I can understand the meanings,” says French visual artist Guillaume Andre about the port city at his graphic exhibition, titled “Impression(s)”. The exhibition opened at the auditorium of Alliance Française de Chittagong on Monday.

The Daily Star is the media partner of the programme.

CU Vice-Principal (VC) Prof Iftekhar Uddin Chowdhury inaugurated the programme as the chief guest. Director of The Institute of Fine Arts of CU Shaila Sharmin, Dramatics Department Chairman Ashim Das and English Department Chairman Kamaluddin Ahmed addressed among others on the occasion.

Raphael Jaeger, director of Alliance Française de Chittagong, in his welcome speech, thanked all participants, artists and visitors, hoping expressing hopes that the event would play a significant role in strengthening relations between the two countries.

CU VC said the French revolution introduced the concepts of equality, fraternity and liberty and had a great impact in changing political and cultural perspectives throughout the world. Referring to the significance of French literature and culture, he said the exchange of culture of the two countries would enrich art-enthusiasts of the country.

Later, the guests viewed the artworks displayed at the auditorium.

Some video works and installations of the artistes were also on display at the exhibition.

Two papers – one on French Influence on Bengali Literature by CU Professor Kamaluddin Ahmed and another Comparative Study between French writers Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus by Dr Gurupada Chakraborty – was presented yesterday at CU Arts Faculty Gallery-2 followed by a play paying tribute to French intellectual Andre Malraux, who laid the first stone of District Shilpakala Academy in Chittagong back in 1973. Ashim Das has directed the play.