The Dhaka Times Desk The International Disability Arts Festival opens on 26 April as part of the British Council's long-term commitment to disabled artists in the field of inclusive theatre. Organized at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, this event will continue till April 27.
After that, an incomparable theater performance 'Naishabde '71' was performed to commemorate the great liberation war. In this event, an exhibition titled 'Adamya Shilpotsav', under the supervision of IID, various works of art including music, painting, sculpture were displayed. Theater performances, panel discussions, film screenings and fairs are also organised.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Social Welfare of the Government of Bangladesh. Dipu Moni, Deputy British High Commissioner to Bangladesh and Development Director Matt Cannell, Artistic Director of Grei Theater Company Jenny Seeley, British Council Bangladesh Director (Interim) Shannon West, Dhaka Theater Founder and Director Naseeruddin Yusuf and Chief Executive of the Institute of Informatics and Development (IID) Officer Saeed Ahmed. Besides, State Minister for Culture Nahid Izahar Khan will attend the closing ceremony.
The International Disability Arts Festival is part of the British Council's DARE (Disability Arts: Redefining Empowerment) project. The goal of this multi-level DARE project is to build confidence and understanding between the arts sector in Bangladesh and people with disabilities. Bridging the gap between the wider society and people with disabilities is another goal of the project. The project was launched in 2019 in partnership with Dhaka Theater and IID (Institute of Informatics and Development).
On the first day of the event, Ramesh Meiyappan's '71 in Silence', Mostafiz Shahin's 'Circus Circus', Kazi Nowshaba Ahmed's 'Triveni', Esha Yusuf and Rafiqul Islam's 'Kendra Aadh Sunrangati Naam Prithivi' by Esha Yusuf and Rafiqul Islam and the director of Jana Sanskrit Center for Theater of the Oppressed, Kolkata Sanjay Ganguly's 'Journey to Wasteland', this 5 theater production was staged. A panel discussion on 'Disability Representation in the Art Sector' was held on the first day, which discussed the lack of representation of persons with disabilities at various levels of society, including the arts.
5 more theater productions were organized on the concluding day – Shamim Sagar's 'Atafar Karim Bawali', Samiun Jahan Dola's 'Sangati', Al Jabir's 'Kajalrekha', Dr. Aamir Zaman's 'Pitragana' and Asim Das' 'Swpankahan'. In addition, there was an opportunity to participate in two panel discussions on 'Breaking Barriers for Accessible Arts' and 'Funding Inclusion for Disability Arts'. The 'Breaking Barriers for Accessible Arts' panel discussion addressed the identification and resolution of barriers that people with disabilities face in arts and cultural opportunities.
Minister of Social Welfare Dr. Deepu Moni said, “Disabled people suffer from various physical and mental disabilities, but most of them are not less than others in terms of intelligence, thoughtfulness and creativity but often more in terms of creativity if they are given opportunities. On behalf of the British Council, Dhaka Theatre, IID and all those involved in this wonderful event, I thank and congratulate the Government of Bangladesh.”
Matt Cannell, Deputy British High Commissioner to Bangladesh and Development Director, said, “The UK is working around the world to create opportunities for disadvantaged and disabled people to enjoy and exercise full rights and freedoms on an equal basis. The British Council's DARE (Disability Arts: Redefining Empowerment) project and the festival have come forward as an opportunity to celebrate the talents and achievements of people with disabilities in Bangladesh and redouble our efforts to ensure a more inclusive world.”
British Council Bangladesh Director (Interim) Shannon West said, “Today we are very proud to inaugurate the International Disability Art Festival 2024; Which is a final arrangement of our dare project. Since 2019, our DARE project has been working to connect Bangladesh and the UK by building the capacity of Bangladeshi theater companies and DARE artists nationwide, practicing inclusive practices, policy change and ensuring access for people with disabilities to institutions such as the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. We are grateful to the government and all partners for their positive support in mainstreaming disability arts theater in Bangladesh.”
Naseeruddin Yusuf, founder of Dhaka Theatre, said, “We are very proud that Dhaka Theater has been playing a very important role in integrating disability arts with mainstream theater in Bangladesh since 2013. Despite various obstacles and new obstacles, we have been able to bring significant progress due to the continuous efforts and cooperation of disabled artists, trainers, British Council and Dhaka Theatre; The successful organization of this International Disability Art Festival 2024 is proof of that.”
The event also gives guests a broader understanding of inclusive theatre; Also get an opportunity to learn about the barriers people with disabilities have overcome in their journey to industry. News bulletins.
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