Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation urges Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy to reopen all auditoriums

Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation has has demanded that all the auditoriums under Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, be reopened across the country. Addressing the Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the federation has sent a letter on August 12, requesting the organisation to resume staging plays and organizing other cultural events. 

Secretary General of the Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, Kamal Bayazid informed The Daily Star about these recent developments. "The government is permitting everything to open one by one," he said. "For those of us who work in Theatre, we also have the need to practice our craft. The artists and the Theatre staff also have to earn their living and that is why we have requested in our letter that all auditoriums be opened by August 19."

Another demand suggests that upon reopening, the Shilpakala Academy should waive the rent of all the auditoriums along with the reservation of 50 percent of the seats in all auditoriums following the healthy safety rules. Moreover, the federation has made a special request to stand by the cultural workers affected by the long-standing pandemic.

The former chairman of the Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, Mamunur Rashid supported these demands made by the federation. He shares, "I stand by the federation; the auditoriums must be opened. If the tourist centers could all be reopened, then why can't the auditoriums be opened for dramas?"

Renowned actor and an imminent member of the Dhaka Theatre, Shahiduzzaman Selim also advocated for the cause and said, "Slowly, everything is reopening. I believe the halls should also open for theatre; the theatre workers should have the opportunity to practice their art."

Translated by Mormee Mahtab