At Oxford's Ashmolean Museum, Shama Obaed Says Bangladesh Wants Stronger Cultural Ties with the UK
Bangladesh has said it wants to strengthen cultural cooperation with the United Kingdom and take initiatives to expand Bangladesh's creative economy. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam expressed the interest during a visit to the Ashmolean Museum of Oxford University in the UK.
The state minister visited on Friday, October 30, at the invitation of the museum authorities. Bangladesh's High Commissioner to the UK, Ambassador Mohammad Abdul Muhit, and senior officials accompanied her.
A Foreign Ministry press release said that during the visit she explored the possibility of taking initiatives on institutional partnership, cultural exchange and support for Bangladeshi artists.
During the visit, the state minister toured the exhibition titled 'Climate, Culture, Care' by Bangladeshi artist Soma Survi Jannat. The press release described it as the first solo exhibition in a UK museum by an artist based in Bangladesh.
Shama Obaed praised the depth, scope and creativity of Jannat's artworks. She also visited selected galleries of the museum with members of its curatorial team.
The state minister also held discussions with Dr Malika Kumbera Landrus, head and curator of the Ashmolean Museum's Eastern Art department. Strengthening contact and cooperation between the relevant institutions of the two countries featured prominently in the discussion.
Building institutional partnerships, expanding cultural exchange and supporting Bangladeshi artists and the development of the creative economy also received importance in the talks, the release said.
The press release said the visit reflects the growing international recognition of Bangladesh's contemporary art and the government's effort to advance cultural diplomacy as a tool of foreign policy. It added that the visit also highlighted the importance of cultural engagement in increasing mutual understanding and strengthening ties between the peoples of Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.
