Australia shows support for art, culture in Bangladesh

Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Julia Niblett has hosted a reception at the Australian High Commission for Dhaka Lit Fest (DLF).

According to a press release issued by the High Commission, the reception was held on Sunday aiming to promote Australia’s support for and commitment to diverse arts and culture in Bangladesh.

Partnerships such as this offer unique opportunities to nurture mutual understanding and strengthen relationships among the citizenry in Australia and Bangladesh, the release stated.

The reception was attended by representatives of the diplomatic community, members of the cultural community of Bangladesh and directors of the Dhaka Lit Fest.

Julia Niblett commended forums that give space for people, genres, and communities to meet, interact, exchange ideas and intellectually engage each other.

Zohab Zee Khan at Austalian high commission in Dhaka on Monday, November 4, 2019 |Courtesy

She indicated that creativity can flourish and ideas can grow in such spaces, the press release added.

The high commissioner welcomed the special guest, Zohab Zee Khan, a participant in this year’s Dhaka Lit Fest. Khan is an educator, spoken word poet, and hip-hop artist, who was the Australian Poetry Slam Champion in 2014.

Drawing on his personal experiences as a fourth generation Australian of South Asian heritage, Khan performed several works of poetry, promoting the values of tolerance and inclusion.

According to the release, DLF is an event that showcases the works of Bangladeshis from diverse backgrounds, and brings writers and thinkers from all around the world to Bangladesh.

The Dhaka Lit Fest embodies the values of respect for cultural diversity that Australia holds dear, it added