On October 26, 2015 the Bangladesh Heritage Museum in cooperation with the Bangladesh PressClub Centre of Alberta (BPCA) has opened the art exhibition "Pursuit of Existence" of Bangladesh Canadian Ishrat Jahan at the Edmonton Public Library, Abbottsfield - Penny Mckee Branch in Edmonton, Alberta.
Local artist Ishrat Jahan
The exhibition features nine recent original artworks, which are on display for the public for three months, beginning October 26, 2015 to January 25, 2016. The artist, Ishrat Jahan, was born on March 25, 1987 in Comilla, Bangladesh and came to Canada in 2005. Her paintings express her pursuit with topics like environment, earth, seasons, love, and change. Ishrat is dedicated to inspire the young generation with her paintings to express dedication and devotion through art.
The exhibition is the first program of a new local organization, the Board of Bangladesh Heritage Museum (BBHM), which is in the process to form the Bangladesh Heritage Museum as a neutral ground for the local Bangladesh community. The program has also been the official inauguration event for the Bangladesh Heritage Museum.
Open discussion in the program room
Ahsan Ullah, Vice-President of BBHM, led through the evening beginning with a short introduction of the project, and moderating the program and speeches of the guests. Artist Ishrat Jahan was unable to attend the program, but was represented by family members. Ms. Pam from the Edmonton Public Library welcomed the organizers and the guests of the evening to the branch.
President of BBHM, Delwar Jahid, gave a deep insight into the purpose of his work with the Bangladesh Heritage Museum, and the benefits for the Bangladesh community. He pointed out the importance an organization-neutral place would have for the people, a place where people in the community can connect with each other and learn about the local heritage of their ancestors. Kids, and youth would gain the opportunity to learn about Bengali culture, history, and other heritage. Especially young Canadians with Bangladesh descent have less opportunities to explore this today.
Speakers at the opening event
Other speakers of the evening were Syfur Hasan, the co-editor of Edmonton Bichitra, an annual local community magazine issued by the Bangladesh Heritage and Ethnic Society of Alberta (BHESA), Peter Mondol, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Canada Association of Edmonton (BCAE), and Melvin Mondol, Public Relations Secretary of BCAE.
With his speech, guest of honour Mr. Moh Laskar brought attention to the fact that many people, especially outside of the community, do not have many opportunities to learn about the rich culture and history of Bangladesh, the people, and the beautiful country itself, which locals also refer to as "Golden Bengal" in indication to Rabindranath Tagore's poem "Amar Sonar Bangla", which became the national anthem of Bangladesh in 1971.
Participants at the exhibition opening event
Among the guests present were Mashod Bhuiyan, General Secretary of BHESA, Sonia Islam, Nurul Huda, Rayhana Rasmin, and several members of the Bangladeshi community interested on arts.
Ishrat Jahan's original paintings can be seen at EPL's Abbottsfield - Penny Mckee Branch at 3410-118 Ave NW, located on the east side of Edmonton. We invite anybody interested to stop by at the library and have a look.
Art on EPL's walls
Related Information
- Website of the Bangladesh Heritage Museum
- Website of Bangladesh PressClub Centre of Alberta (BPCA)
- Website of Edmonton Public Library (EPL)
- EPL's branch at Abbottsfield - Penny Mckee
- Edmonton Bichitra
- Bangladesh Heritage and Ethnic Society of Alberta (BHESA)
- Bangladesh Canada Association of Edmonton (BCAE)
