Published: 08:21 PM, 19 April 2025
Roundtable Discussion Titled "National Culture: Perspective of a New Bangladesh" Held by Imaginext Foundation
A roundtable discussion titled "National Culture: Perspective of a New Bangladesh" was held at the National Press Club on April 18, 2025, organized by Imaginext Foundation. The event focused on drafting a national cultural policy and the demand for forming a National Cultural Forum led by the youth.
The keynote speaker at the event was political thinker Farhad Mazhar. Emphasizing the stance against fascism, he stated that the struggle is not over. In the new Bangladesh, no one can be left behind. Participation must include all ethnic groups, secular people, and followers of all religions — as we have seen in festivals. He urged preparation for a major cultural struggle, for which a proper constitution is needed — one created by the people. He also remarked that the era of nationalism must come to an end.
Former ambassador M. Humayun Kabir said that a revolution means creating a new legal system. What happened on the 24th cannot be called a revolution — it was a mass uprising. He emphasized the need for a cultural celebration to establish a democratic state and called for building a strong cultural movement in the new Bangladesh.
Sarwar Tushar, Joint Convenor of the National Citizens’ Party, said that the political landscape in Bangladesh will not change unless there is a cultural shift. He highlighted the need for a change in cultural politics and stressed the urgency of reforming political culture to prevent violent situations in the country. Culture, he noted, is not a small matter — it is deeply linked to politics, the economy, and democracy. The aspirations of the people have changed, and the youth desire cultural transformation, as depicted in murals across the country. These murals reflect the reasons behind the mass uprising. He added that we must consider who wants to erase these murals and emphasized the importance of listening to the voices of the youth.
EkusheyPadak-winning artist Fatema Tuz Zohra also spoke at the event. She stressed the need to end violence in society, especially violence among people. She advocated for basic structural change as a prerequisite for broader societal transformation. In his presidential address, actor Ilias Kanchan said that after July-August, the kind of culture people want has been portrayed on the walls. These depictions must be taken seriously and worked upon to shape the desired cultural landscape. He said that these will become key elements in the days to come. The new generation has dreamed a new dream, and it is through this dream that our national culture must move forward on a global stage. He also emphasized the need for change in both political and economic cultures.
The discussion was moderated by media personality and organizer Mohammad Imtiaj introduced with a concept paper by Zafar Firoz, General Secretary of Imaginext Foundation. Other speakers included Professor Dr. Mojibul Haque, founder of the American Wellness Center; Mohammad Shahidul Islam, President of the Dhaka Journalists Union; Nizamul Haque Naeem, Chairman of Upon Foundation; Rafiqul Anwar Russell, Member of the Bangladesh Film Certification Board; Zakaria Habib Pilot, Vice Chairman of Imaginext Foundation; among many others.
