Biophilia 2025: Dhaka festival links climate, culture, and community voices

A unique climate and culture festival was held this September in Dhaka, where community voices stood at the centre of the conversation on resilience and sustainability.

The event, "Biophilia: Reconnecting People, Climate, and Culture", was organised by GenLab with support from the Embassy of Switzerland under the Climate Action at Local Level (CALL) programme. Diplomats, policymakers, artists, innovators, and citizens gathered at Aloki Convention Center for a day of dialogue, art, and performance.

The festival opened with a traditional Santal dance, followed by remarks from Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. She reminded the audience that climate change is no longer a distant threat, but part of everyday life in Bangladesh.

Sessions throughout the day featured stories from the frontlines: women leading community parliaments on climate, solar-powered ambulances in flood-hit areas, and Indigenous families shifting to safer food and water sources. "These are not isolated stories; they are part of a larger struggle for dignity and survival," said GenLab's executive director Ratul Dev.

The programme blended talks with art and innovation. Visitors explored photography and virtual reality exhibits, joined participatory art projects, and saw a sustainable fashion show. The evening closed with theatre and music performances, including songs by Joler Gaan.

Biophilia 2025 left a clear message: climate action is strongest when rooted in culture, community, and collective responsibility.