Alliance Francaise de Dhaka (AFD)

French playwright to stage a comedy on Dhaka’s street hawkers

Directed by French playwright Zazie Hayoun Jazzy, “Song of Hawkers” focuses on the daily lives of Dhaka's hawkers through three light-hearted stories—“The Secret”, “The Thief Rewarded”, and “The Competition”.
9 March 2025, 09:44 AM

Rickshaw art takes centre stage at Alliance Française de Dhaka

Titled “Rickshaw Artistry: A World Heritage”, the exhibition highlights vibrant, hand-painted posters of superhit films, including the legendary action movie “Shodor Ghater Kuli”, which starred renowned Dhallywood actor Rubel and was directed by Raqibul Alam Raqib.
9 January 2025, 06:05 AM

Children for change: ‘Artivism’ exhibition advocates social progress

Young artists have utilised their creativity to address pressing issues such as inequality, gender-based violence, and the need to challenge outdated societal norms. Through their powerful work, they convey a strong commitment to driving change and transforming individuals, communities, and society as a whole.
1 December 2024, 12:50 PM

‘Finely Tiny’: The blend of mathematics and Oriental art

In her current body of work, Élise finds inspiration in the intricate symmetry of geometric forms, exploring a shared language between art and science. Her pieces “Classroom” and “Roméo & Juliette – Mathematician Version” epitomise her commitment to merging mathematical calculation with creative expression.
5 November 2024, 12:32 PM

‘Moja-Kori’ design festival to inaugurate Dhaka’s first community-driven cultural hub

Featuring more than 50 events, the festival will showcase architectural designs, artworks, photography, installation pieces, and performing arts, hosted in multiple venues around Korail as well as at Shala Neighbourhood Art Space, Gallery 101, and Alliance Française de Dhaka.
4 November 2024, 14:18 PM

Alliance Française de Dhaka commemorates 65 years

The French language school Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD), also adept at art exhibitions, and activities promoting a dynamic exchange between Europe and Bangladesh, marked its 65th anniversary with an extensive lineup of events, showcasing a seamless fusion of Bengali and French culture.
20 October 2024, 12:45 PM

‘Invisible Stories’: Puppetry, ghosts, and traditions under one roof

Through the artistes’ use of puppetry and physical movement, the invisible becomes visible, offering a glimpse into the unseen forces shaping the world around us. From "tree ghosts" blamed for Dhaka's infamous traffic to the "ectoplasm" holding up the city’s walls, the show plays with the supernatural in ways that are both whimsical and profound.
7 October 2024, 18:05 PM

‘Beyond the Gaze’: Exploring intimacy and isolation at AFD

Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) is currently hosting “Beyond the Gaze”, showcasing a profound exploration of intimacy, identity, and isolation through the lens of emerging photographers and artists. The exhibition features works from the PSA: Beyond the Gaze 2023–2024 workshop, an initiative supported by Photo South Asia under the MurthyNAYAK Foundation, and partnered with AFD and Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in Delhi, India.
1 September 2024, 10:35 AM

‘Stitched Collage’: Exploring Suranjana Bhattacharja’s threads of resilience

Suranjana Bhattacharja's journey into the world of art took a unique turn when she was diagnosed with Dystrophy around a decade ago, causing partial disability in her left hand. Despite the challenges posed by this chronic condition, she found solace in her passion for sewing. Inspired by artists like Kandinsky, she ventured into stitched collage, a novel form of artistic expression. The inception of this exhibition can be traced back to a pivotal moment in Suranjana's life while residing in Montreal. Struck by the parallels between her own journey and that of renowned artists like Matisse, who persisted in creating despite physical limitations, she found renewed determination to pursue her craft.
28 April 2024, 10:55 AM

Nazir Hossain’s ‘Boishakh in the Land of Tiger’ roars to life at AFD

Each painting in the exhibition tells a unique story, inspired by folklore, mythology, and the artist’s own imagination. From lush forests teeming with wildlife to bustling village scenes and joyous Boishakh festivities, they offer a glimpse into a world of beauty, wonder, and timeless tradition. He employs a unique blend of folk motifs, indigenous symbols, and captivating fables, to weave a narrative enriched in cultural significance. Some paintings also have references to other art forms, like nakshi katha and rickshaw painting, to name a few.
31 March 2024, 11:12 AM

Onika's solo art exhibition explores the essence of home

The intimate solo art exhibition "Home" by the promising artist Nasrin Jahan Onika has recently unfolded at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka in Dhanmondi. The inauguration, graced by internationally acclaimed artist Monirul Islam, distinguished art critic Moinuddin Khaled, and art connoisseur and Shasha Denims Limited Director Zareen Mahmud Hosein as special guests, took place on March 1 with great fervour.
10 March 2024, 12:56 PM

Unveiling ‘L’État, C'est Moi’: A journey through French aesthetics and culture

Last week, on February 15, 2024, Alliance Française de Dhaka hosted a book launching event for Dr Mahbubur Rahman’s 'L'État, C'est Moi'
23 February 2024, 13:45 PM

Alliance Française de Dhaka hosts enchanting evening of classical music

Alliance Française de Dhaka treated music enthusiasts to a mesmerising evening of classical music on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at its Dhanmondi premises. The event featured the renowned French pianist, Maxime Zecchini, and accomplished violinist Isabelle Durin in a unique collaboration that showcased their individual artistry.
19 February 2024, 10:46 AM

‘Nostalgia Dhanmondi’ journeys through Dhanmondi’s timeless alleys

Dhanmondi has always had a cultural identity of its own – be it the grand two-storeyed family bungalows, the sounds of rehearsals at Chhayanaut, the majestic Eidgah Masjid, or the playfields that kids flocked to. Even with the sprawling high-rise buildings, Dhanmondi, its lake, and its street stalls still maintain its rustic charm.
2 January 2024, 06:21 AM

‘Poetrimage’ of birds, women, and poems

At Alliance Francaise de Dhaka (AFD), a gallery brims with the seamless integration of poetry and paintings, each element complementing the other in a harmonious blend. One can easily get lost in the artistic world that Reza Asad Al Huda Anupam has created for his second solo exhibition “Poetrimage”, the opening of which took place at AFD yesterday. 
18 November 2023, 07:10 AM

Sourav Chowdhury's 5th solo exhibition underway at AFD

A total of 30 artworks are adorning  the gallery space of the exhibition, most of which are in the media of etching and aquatint.
25 July 2023, 10:03 AM

‘Choloman Upakhyan’: AFD students capture stories through their camera

“Choloman Upakhyan” consists of photographs of five visual lens based artists. They have chosen different social issues to portray through their own perspectives.
24 June 2023, 10:28 AM

Alliance Française to teach French to students of Glenrich International School (GIS)

GIS signed an agreement with AFD on June 15 at its premises with a view to facilitating mentorship for its students.
22 June 2023, 00:00 AM

The art of expression: Rakibul Anwar's ‘Shonglogno’

"Shonglogno", a solo exhibition featuring the works of Rakibul Anwar was recently displayed at La Galerie, Alliance Francaise, Dhaka. The exhibition was inaugurated on November 18, in the presence of Her Excellency, Marie Masdupuy, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh; eminent artist Professor Dhali Al Mamoon, and artist-critic Mustafa Zaman.
6 December 2022, 03:00 AM

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: A chance encounter, and the rest is history

The memoir provides a good primer to Nusrat's life as a musician and the legacy he left.
5 October 2022, 18:00 PM