Promoting cultural exchange

Ambassador Shahidul Islam(3-L) seen with other dignitaries and winners of the Children-Art Biennale Bangladesh 2011.

The Prize giving ceremony of the “6th International Children-Art Biennale Bangladesh 2011” was held in the Embassy of Bangladesh in Seoul with much fervor and festivity on August 23, says a press release. Ambassador Shahidul Islam handed over the awards to the winners of various schools of Korea. These Korean youngsters participated at the Biennale organised by Bangladesh Shishu Academy, the National Academy established by the Government for cultural development and mental efflorescence of the children in Bangladesh. The first International Children-Art Biennale was held in 1998, and since then this event is being organised every two years. This year more than 16,000 art works were received from 17 countries of the world including Bangladesh. Among the Korean participants, 13 young artists won prizes in various categories. The themes of the art works varied from cherry blossom to rural landscape, from ferry to fisher boat, from yellow spring to lotus leaves, and even abstract ideas like someone's earnest wish.
The ceremony was attended by Korean teachers, school children and dignitaries. Among the attendees special mentions may be noted of Lee Kyung-shik, Chairman-publisher of the influential Korea Post Media group, David Kim, Honorary Consul General of Bangladesh in Incheon city and Yoav Cerralbo, Editor of the diplomatic section of the most widely circulated English Daily Korea Herald. The speakers at the programme said that both Bangladesh and Korea have long history and rich cultural heritage. Government and people of both the countries are making efforts to strengthen cultural ties between the two friendly nations. They said that participation by Korean children in this Art Biennale was another important milestone in promoting cultural exchange between our two countries.
In his speech Shahidul Islam said that as the Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Republic of Korea, he felt proud that as many as 13 children from Korea have won prizes in the prestigious Children-Art Biennale in Bangladesh. He congratulated them for serving as the cultural envoys creating strong bonds between Bangladesh and Korea and hoped that this bond will continue to expand in the years to come.
The programme ended with high note of enthusiasm and delight among the young artists of Korea.