University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh yesterday celebrated the Nobel Prize winners in literature, marking the 100 years celebration of Tagore’s Nobel Prize for literature.
On the occasion, ULAB organised a seminar on “Showcasing the Nobel Prizes for Literature” and an exhibition, titled “The Nobel Prize for Literature” at the auditorium of its campus.
In the seminar, speakers discussed the Nobel laureates on literature, especially Rabindranath Tagore and Alice Munro. Canadian writer Alice Munro received the honourable prize for literature in 2013, a century after Tagore got it, and was described as having revolutionised the architecture of contemporary short stories. The 82-year-old becomes the 110th Nobel laureate in literature and the first Canadian to win and the 13th woman to do so.
Speaking as the chief guest at the seminar, Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Heather Cruden said Canada has been a proud partner for Bangladesh since its independence. The dialogue and exchange of ideas about works across cultures, and between local and foreign experts was a good example of crossing international boundaries to broaden minds globally.
ULAB former vice chancellor Prof Rafiqul Islam said Gitanjali in Bangla is not similar to Gitanjali in English. Gitanjali is an entry of over 100 verses which are songs not poems. In England, at the request of Irish poet WB Yeats, Rabindranath translated Gitanjali to English.
While giving vote of thanks, ULAB Vice Chancellor Prof Imran Rahman said through such occasions, the students would be inspired for creative writing.
ULAB board of trustees Vice President Kazi Anis Ahmed said: “I don’t want to be jubilant for execution of Quader Mollah but it is a sense of relief for the nation that the first of the war criminals have been hanged and there are more challenges ahead.”
At the seminar, Gitanjali centenary volume, commissioned by ULAB, was unveiled. Among others, department of English and Humanities Chair Kaiser Haque was present.
