Chobi Mela X to open on February 28

The tenth edition of Chobi Mela launches on February 28, 2019. In a press conference held yesterday at Drik's new gallery in Panthapath, the organisers updated the media on the upcoming programme. The festival will continue with many happenings till March 9.

 Chobi Mela - International Festival of Photography is put together biannually by Drik Picture Library Ltd.and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute. Since its inception in 2000, Chobi Mela has been the most significant photography event in Asia and the first of a regular biennale.

 The Advisory Board of Chobi Mela X consists of renowned personalities including the likes of Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, Khondokar Ibrahim Khaled, Khushi Kabir, Kunda Dixit, Raghu Rai, Rehman Sobhan, Serajul Islam Choudhury and Sultana Kamal.

“These names prove the worth of Chobi Mela and how it is recognised internationally,” said Khushi Kabir at the press conference. “Every year, I look forward to Chobi Mela. Now that I am a part of it, I am very excited to see what it has to offer to art lovers.”

The theme of this year's exhibition pertains to the word, 'place.' “The theme is quite relevant to the time that we are living in. Chobi Mela is very geographically diverse,” said Tanzim Wahab, one of the curators of the exhibition. He further mentioned that the archive section, curated by Yasmin Saba, and the creations of photojournalist Rashid Talukdar, are going to be essential elements of the exhibition.

The curatorial team includes ASM Rezaur Rahman, Munem Wasif, Tanzim Wahab and Sarker Protick. The participating countries include Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland and Syria among others. The organisers also mentioned that this year many female photographers are participating in the exhibition. Chobi Mela X will also arrange different workshops, panel discussions, artist talks, seminars, gallery walks and other activities.

The director of Chobi Mela, Shahidul Alam, informed that renowned writer Arundhati Roy will be visiting Bangladesh for the first time to attend the exhibition.