Virtual exhibition for Dhaka OIC Youth Capital 2020-21 Bangabandhu Youth Art Competition to begin on June 17

A virtual exhibition of the entries from "Dhaka OIC Youth Capital 2020-21 Bangabandhu Youth Art Competition" will be organised by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The month-long exhibition will begin from June 17.

The competition was organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh, in association with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh. 335 participants aged from 18 to 35 took part in the competition from 57 countries of the OIC. The competition was split into three zones: Bangladesh, Asia and the rest of the world.

Marking a significant recognition for the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her spirited Government in the youth sector, Bangladesh was announced as the OIC Youth Capital 2020. Istanbul based Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), an entity affiliated to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), made the declaration on December 25, 2019.

"This exhibition is one of the ten elaborate events that have been designed which will be implemented by various lead and co-lead Ministries throughout the year," said Liaquat Ali Lucky, Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in a virtual press briefing. "We are proud that Dhaka was announced as the OIC Youth Capital 2020-2021," he added.

The works of the exhibition were divided in four categories: contemporary art, calligraphy, photography and graphic design; the theme being Parity and Prosperity. The six subjects of the competition were as follows: Bangabandhu and Bangladesh, Covid Pandemic, Humanity in refugee crisis, Youth spirit in technology, Islamic Art and Climate Change.

The participants submitted their works from March 1 to April 30. Nearly 100 entrees were chosen for this exhibition by a jury panel, which included members from both Bangladesh and abroad.

An award ceremony will be held virtually on June 20-21  and it will be streamed live on Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Youtube channel and the OIC Youth Capital website.

The first, second, and the third prize winners of each category will be awarded 500 USD, 300 USD and 200 USD, respectively.

The award ceremony will be attended by Zahid Hasan Russell, MP,State Minister for Youth and Sports as chief guest; Taha Ayhan, president of ICYF will also join from Turkey. Akhter Hossain,

Senior Secretary of Ministry of Youth and Sports will be attending as special guests, as well as M Badrul Arefin, secretary of The Ministry of Cultural Affairs. The virtual award ceremony will be presided by K.M Khalid, State Minister of Cultural Affairs.

Other events that are to be implemented this year are: Bangabandhu Global Youth Award,​ OIC Knowledge Master, Bangabandhu-Dhaka International Debate Fest for the OIC Youth Entrepreneurship, Skill & Employment Camp​, Dhaka OIC Youth Capital Film Awards and The Holy Qur'an Recitation competition.