Fight against communalism to save culture

If values and culture is not nurtured in the society then attacks such as the one on Holey Artisan Bakery at Gulshan will continue to occur, said Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor yesterday. 

"People need to love songs, poetry, art and photography as these are part of the culture that will enable us create a more compassionate society,” he said at the inauguration ceremony of Chobi Mela -- an international festival of photography.

The ninth edition of the festival is being jointly organised by Drik Picture Library Ltd and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute at Shilpakala Academy in the capital.

Speaking on the occasion, Noor said if festivals are not observed or any cultural activities are not organised in the country, communalism and fundamentalism will gradually reign over humanity.

He urged the people to carry on their fight against communalism to save the Bangalee culture from extinction, saying, “Communalism cannot enter the minds that are enriched with culture.”

Liz wells, a professor at Plymouth University; Hengameh Golestan, a prominent photographer from Iran; Liaquat Ali Lucky, director general of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy; and Shahidul Alam, director of the festival; were also present among others.

Two Bangladeshi photographers -- Nasir Ali Mamun and Saida Khanom -- received Lifetime Achievement Awards during the ceremony.

The two-week-long event will be open for all from 11:00am to 8:00pm till February 16. The venues are Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts, Northbrook Hall Auditorium, Beauty Boarding and Shilpakala Academy.