United News of Bangladesh

French Ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy met BNP leaders at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office in the capital  on Wednesday to discuss bilateral issues and the current political situation of Bangladesh. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir led his party’s team in the meeting The party’s standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and organising secretary Shama Obaed were present. Tarique urges govt to pay heed to public desire for impartiality Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Amir Khosru said the meeting discussed how to strengthen the bilateral relations and economic relations between Bangladesh and France in future. He said the current scenario of Bangladesh particularly the political scenario, election and investment in Bangladesh were also discussed in the meeting. “We told (the French envoy) that the people are waiting for election and casting their votes as they want to elect their government through votes,” said the BNP leader. Unity must to protect Bangladesh, its people: Tarique  

Newly appointed Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy made a special visit to Cosmos Atelier 71 and Gallery Cosmos, the reputed printmaking studio and artistic space of Cosmos Foundation, on Thursday. She explored the ongoing exclusive intaglio process softground and stencil workshop by internationally acclaimed artist and art teacher, Professor Rokeya Sultana, titled “Impression of Rokeya's” at the Cosmos Centre. Read more: Printmaking workshop ‘Impression of Rokeya's’ underway at Cosmos Atelier 71 Tehmina Enayet, Director of Cosmos Atelier 71 and Gallery Cosmos, and Rokeya Sultana greeted Ambassador Masdupuy and exchanged their artistic visions, while Gallery Cosmos Artistic Director Sourav Chowdhury guided the studio and gallery tour while sharing the artistic initiatives and ongoing workshop to the ambassador. "We are overwhelmed to have the honorable French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy among us, here in our Cosmos Atelier 71 and Gallery Cosmos. France is the pioneering nation in the world of arts and also has been one of our great diplomatic allies, and the ambassador’s maiden visit in our art space will continue strengthening the remarkable bond and friendship between the two nations," Tehmina Enayet told UNB. Professor Rokeya Sultana said, "It is our great honor that Ambassador Masdupuy visited this exclusive printmaking workshop, and I along with all of our participating artists are enthralled with her presence and enthusiasm regarding our works." Read more: Impression of Rokeya's: Intaglio process workshop at Cosmos Atelier71 from Monday Inaugurated on January 23, the workshop is featuring young and prominent artists from home and beyond – Asmita Alam Shammy, Roosevelt Benjamin, Chhobi Zulfiqar, Rifat Jahan Kanta, Farzana Rahman Bobby, Mohammad Rezwanur Rahman, Bacchu Miah Arif, Kamruzzoha, SM Ehsan and Indian artist Sukla Poddar. The workshop also features four guest artists – renowned painter Afrozaa Jamil Konka, eminent photojournalist-artist Nasir Ali Mamun, veteran artist and freedom fighter Biren Shome and journalist-artist Zahangir Alom – alongside participating guest artists Sam Jamil Julian, Rumessa Mailloux and Sourav Chowdhury.

The Sammilito Islami Dal, an alliance of Islamist parties, has demanded sending back the French ambassador to Dhaka in protest against comments made by Emmanuel Macron on Islam.