After the success of the first installment of Urban Youth Festival last year, which ran for four days, the event came back with a month long repertoire at the Goethe-Institut in Dhanmondi. The programme was inaugurated on October 24 amidst huge enthusiasm.
The theme of this year’s festival is “Student politics, Secularism, Social media and Art.”
The festival in general highlights photo exhibits, wall paintings, concerts and roundtable meeting with experts on various issues.
The Deputy Ambassador of the German Embassy Dr Ferdinand Von Weyhe spoke at the inauguration ceremony and the keynote was presented by standup comedian Naveed Mahbub. Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Liaquat Ali Lucky and Director of Goethe-Institute Judith Mirschberger gave welcome speech at the event.
However, the most attractive feature on the inaugural day’s programme was the staging of a mime production. The performers captivated the audience with their powerful expression and language of art.
The show “Cross Connection” is about Campus Politics vs Polite-ice. Directed by Mir Lokman, performed by Dhaka University Mime Action, the story showed the struggle of the youth and the Independence gained after nine months of hardship.
The mime show further encouraged a healthy and peaceful environment where students can deal with politics, question oppression and bring positive changes in the society.
The ongoing programmes at the venue feature a photo exhibition “Portraits of Politics” by A J Ghani. Ghani portrays specific objects which can be related to politics and people’s insanity. The photographs showcased are mostly on the Ramu incident and the Rana Plaza tragedy.
Besides the photo display, an installation “Thoughtlessness,” a joint venture by sculptors Sanjay Biswas and Protik Biswas, is also on display. It depicts the aimless, guideless and helpless individuals, despite the opportunities available for the youth in this country.
But, the political unrest and the continuous accident prone scenario of the country are decapitating the thought process of the young individuals and their creativity is being smoldered to the ground.
As a part of the series of events at the festival, a workshop titled “Youth Workshop: Pathways to Tolerance” will be conducted at the Goethe-Institut tomorrow.