The inaugural ceremony of ‘Bangladesh Cartoon Fest 2014’ was held at the Drik Gallery of the capital on today, April 15, 2014. The fest was organized by Bangladesh Cartoonist Association (BANCARAS) and sponsored by the youth magazine Symposium, a monthly publication of The Bangladesh Today.
Around 100 cartoon and illustration, done by the professional and amateur 40 cartoonists were exhibited at the event. The exhibition artworks were categorized under two themes – ‘internet and social networking’ and ‘open theme’.
The artists used water color, oil color, acrylic and digital media to create these creative artworks. The whole exhibition was categorized under two sections – cartoon, and caricature.
To make the festival unique and interactive, a live caricature session by the cartoonists and caricaturists were also held which will be continued till the end of the fest.
Editor of Symposium magazine Syeda Iffat Hossain and BANCARAS advisor Ahsan Habib was present at the inauguration ceremony while BANCARAS president Sadat Uddin Ahmed Amil presided over the ceremony.
Speaking at the inauguration programme, Syeda Iffat Hossain said: “Youths can play vital role solving problems, stimulating thought and creating dialogue about issues that are difficult to communicate otherwise. Symposium wants to promote art and culture among the young generation through the way of cartooning. Symposium is glad to support the annual Cartoon fest 2014.”
Cartoon magazine Unmad editor and BANCARAS advisor Ahsan Habib said: “Bangladesh Cartoon Fest 2014 is long waiting great news for the young cartoonists in the country. Viewers will enjoy the cartoonist’s thoughts and humorous activities in the framed format at the DRIK Gallery.”
Speaking at the programme, BANCARAS president Sadat Uddin Ahmed said cartoon has established itself as a popular art form and Bangladesh Cartoon Fest 2014 is one such platform where young, amateur and professional cartoonists can develop themselves through meeting together and sharing views and knowledge.
After the formal session, the Symposium editor Syeda Iffat Hossain and BANCARAS advisor Ahsan Habib jointly awarded young cartoonist Faridur Rahman Razib with ‘Cartoonist Shanto Award’ in a bid to promote cartooning among the young generation in Bangladesh.
Cartoonist Shanto Podok is a joint initiative of BANCARAS and Symposium honoring late cartoonist Tariqul Islam Shanto, one of the most influential and versatile cartoonists of his time who passed away on February, 2013.
SHORGOL, an event management company is playing key role as the event manager of the fest while Dhaka Tribune and Doinik Shamakal are the media partners of the fest.
The fest will remain open everyday from 3:00 to 8:00pm till April 17, 2014.