Bangladesh Heritage Crafts Foundation – the journey begins

Tootli Rahman, the founder of the International Weaver's festival, has recently launched The Bangladesh Heritage Crafts Foundation on 12 May, 2018 with the presence of H.E Mercia Bernicat.

The aim of the foundation is to bring together the diverse works of Bangladesh's artisans and highlight its rich heritage and culture, in the hope of reviving a tradition which is in decline.

The foundation is also keen on promoting inter-cultural dialogue by showcasing crafts from countries around the world. In this way, it hopes to learn more about each other's culture and heritage.

Based on this understanding, a two-day exhibition has been arranged at House 1-B, Road-71 Gulshan-2, on 5 and 6 October, from 11AM to 8PM. Items on display will range from deshi textiles like Dhakai Jamdani, Rajshahi silks and muslins to household items made from Shitol-Pati and traditional items that are quintessentially Bangladeshi. There will be items from most regions of Bangladesh under one roof.

This is the first time such a platform has been created to share ideas and display traditional items of Bangladesh with countries from abroad.

It will be a two-day exhibition, to be inaugurated by Benazir Ahmed, Director General of RAB. The guests of honour include ambassador of Brazil H.E Joao Tabajara de Oliveira and Ambassador of Maldives H.E Aishath Shaan Shakir.

Special guests expected to be present at the event are Ms Sandra Esteves Tabajara, honorary president for the international Heritage Crafts Foundation in Bangladesh and other dignitaries and diplomats.

Photo courtesy: Tootli Rahman