Regards Sur le Bangladesh – Bangladeshi Week in Paris

Bangladesh Week in Paris 2025 - poster

Regards Sur le Bangladesh, a Bangladeshi Week in Paris, is set to unfold from April 7-12, offering an enriching cultural exchange to highlight the vibrant and dynamic country of Bangladesh. This event seeks to spotlight Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage and its resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

The initiative is the result of collaborative efforts between French and Bangladeshi partners in the fields of architecture, artistic creation, literature, climate action, and cinema. This multifaceted program is designed to offer a comprehensive exploration of Bangladesh, going beyond the typical narrative of poverty, climate disasters, and pollution. The week invites the audience to discover the country’s cultural vibrancy, innovative spirit, and forward-looking ambitions.

The event has been made possible thanks to the commitment of key partners: the Institut Français, the association chaired by Erik Orsenna, Initiative pour le Futur des Grands Fleuves, the Cité de l’architecture, INALCO, and the Théâtre National de la Colline.

Program Highlights:

Monday, April 7 at the Cité de l'architecture

• Screening – Bamboo Stories (Shaheen Dill-Riaz) at 15:30

This documentary tells the gripping story of five men navigating treacherous waters, transporting 25,000 bamboo logs through the rivers of Bangladesh. Facing dangers like heat, rapids, and pirates, they strive to reach Dhaka’s wholesalers on time, offering an intimate glimpse into a traditional but perilous trade.

• Debate with Erik Orsenna and Elisabeth Ayrault

A discussion exploring various aspects of Bangladesh’s cultural, political, and environmental landscape.

• Lecture – Kashef Mahboob Chowdhury, Architect

Kashef Mahboob Chowdhury, founding partner of URBANA, presents his vision for architecture in Bangladesh, emphasizing the importance of climate-conscious design, materials, and human context.

• Old Dhaka Learning Project – Reflections by a Group of Architects

The project explores sustainable urban solutions for the city’s future. Architects include Marc Barani, Mathieu Lucas, Franck Boute, Luiz Lopez, and Francis Rambert.

• Video Mapping Showcase – GAANER KULI

Produced by Compagnie Des châteaux en l’air, this multimedia performance takes the audience on a visual journey through Puran Dhaka, exploring life along the Buriganga River through innovative video art.

Thursday, April 10 at INALCO

• Screening – Bengal Delta: Journey to the Land of Misfortune

In this moving documentary, photographer Laurent Weyl returns to Bangladesh 17 years after documenting the plight of climate refugees. He revisits families displaced by rising waters, capturing the ongoing effects of climate change.

• Screening – Song of Whales (Afroza Hossain Sara)

An animated short film that portrays environmental destruction through the eyes of Bangladeshi fishermen and a grieving mother whale.

• Round Table – The City-River Relationship: Views from Dhaka and Buriganga

A discussion focusing on the environmental and heritage challenges facing Dhaka, including climate migration from the Sundarbans and riverfront redevelopment. Panelists include historians, photographers, and environmental experts.

Saturday, April 12 at Théâtre National de la Colline

• Theater – Wajdi Mouawad’s Staging of Texts by Shaheen Akter, Akteruzaman Elias, and Kaiser Haq

A theatrical presentation exploring the works of some of Bangladesh’s most prominent literary figures.

• Round Table – Bengali Literature and Society

A conversation featuring renowned writers Shaheen Akter, Kaiser Haq, Olivier Litvine, and Olivier Bougnot, discussing the evolution of Bengali literature and its social impact.

Closing Session:

The week concludes with a concert featuring melodic music performed by Bangladeshi and French artists, including Rahul Anand, Manu Theron, and other special guests, celebrating the cultural collaboration between the two nations. – Alliance Francaise, Dhaka Press release