<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">In keeping with the previous years, Bangladesh is participating in the prestigious Venice International Art Biennale.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy under the guidance of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is taking&nbsp; part in this event. The overarching theme of this year’s biennale is ‘Foreigners Everywhere’, according to press release received here.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Bangladesh pavilion under the caption ‘Yearning for Harmony: In the Crisis of the Civilization’ has been formally inaugurated in the touristic city of Venice on 18 April 2024 in presence of a huge number of artists, art lovers and critics, journalists, member of expatriate Bangladeshi community, educationist, and high officials.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A 6-member Bangladeshi delegation led by the Director General of Shilpakala Academy Mr. Liaquat Ali Lucky attended the inauguration ceremony. Consul General of Bangladesh in Milan Mr. M J H Jabed, Honorary Consul of Bangladesh in Venice Avv. Fabrizio Ippolito D'Avino, Curator of Bangladesh pavilion Ms. Viviana Vannucci also attended the ceremony. In his address to the foreign audience, the Director General of Shilpakala Academy said that Bangladesh is a proud participant at the Venice Biennale which is the world's premiere art event. The artworks displayed at the Bangladesh pavilion are done by both celebrated and promising artists of the country. He informed that Bangladesh also hosts Asian Art Biennale which has drawn attention of art connoisseurs from across the world. He invited the Italian artists and art critics to attend the future art events to be organized in Bangladesh.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Consul General of Bangladesh in Milan noted that during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s last visit to Italy a cultural Cooperation Agreement was signed between Bangladesh and Italy under which two friendly countries are expected to broaden cooperation in the cultural domain. He also noted that Bangladesh has a rich history in art which needs to be showcased before the global community.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr. Jabed also stated that Cultural Diplomacy is one of the priority areas in the Public Diplomacy endeavour of the present government. From the Bangladesh delegation Ms. Nafriza Shayma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Ekushey Padak awardee artist Professor Shahjahan Ahmed Bikash spoke on the occasion, reports nnb</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is the 5th consecutive time that Bangladesh has been participating at the Venice Biennale.The 6-month long event will continue till end November-2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/fas</div>