Bangladesh, UK seek stronger cultural ties and creative economy cooperation
Bangladesh today sought to strengthen cultural cooperation with the United Kingdom and promote its creative economy as State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam visited the Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford.
During the visit, she explored opportunities for institutional partnerships, cultural exchanges and initiatives to support Bangladeshi artists, said a foreign ministry press release.
The state minister visited the museum at its invitation, accompanied by Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith and other senior officials.
She toured "Climate, Culture, Care", an exhibition by Bangladeshi artist Soma Surovi Jannat, which the release described as the first solo exhibition by a Bangladesh-based artist at a UK museum.
Shama expressed appreciation for the intensity, depth and creativity of Jannat's work. Accompanied by the museum's curatorial team, she also viewed selected collections.
The state minister held discussions with Dr Mallica Kumbera Landrus, Keeper of Eastern Art and Curator at the Ashmolean Museum, on strengthening engagement between relevant institutions of the two countries.
Their discussions focused on developing institutional partnerships, expanding cultural exchanges and supporting Bangladesh's artists and creative economy.
The visit reflected growing recognition of Bangladesh's contemporary art and the government's efforts to advance cultural diplomacy as an instrument of foreign policy, the release said.
It also underscored the role of cultural engagement in promoting mutual understanding and strengthening connections between the peoples of Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.
