Saturday Post Desk
A new bilingual online literary magazine, CHINTON, was launched in Dhaka on Friday with the aim of promoting literary excellence and fostering dialogue across languages and cultures.
The inaugural ceremony was held at the Conference Hall of Nascent Gardenia Hotel in Baridhara Diplomatic Zone at 4:00pm. The programme was presided over by CHINTON Editor Tasneem Hossain, while eminent academic, writer, translator and Professor Emeritus Dr Fakrul Alam attended as the chief guest.
In her welcome address, Tasneem Hossain outlined the vision behind CHINTON, describing it as a platform where literature can transcend geographical and linguistic boundaries and connect people through ideas, creativity and shared human experiences.
She expressed hope that the magazine would become a meeting place for established and emerging writers from Bangladesh and around the world.
Delivering the keynote address titled “Why Literature Still Matters in this Digital Era,” Takad Ahmed Chowdhury, associate professor and head of the Department of English at the University of Asia Pacific, said technology connects devices, while literature connects people. He highlighted the role of literature in developing empathy, critical thinking, cultural understanding and meaningful human connections in an increasingly digital world.
Following the keynote address, Dr Fakrul Alam officially unveiled the CHINTON website, marking the formal launch of the magazine.
The inaugural issue features 26 literary works, including poetry, flash fiction, short stories, literary essays, memoirs, travelogues and artwork. The contributors are from Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Siberia in Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam.
During the literary presentation, Bangladeshi contributors Shamsi Ara Huda, Faruq Moinuddin, Dilip Guha Thakurta, Razibul Hoassin and Faridur Rahman read excerpts from their works. International contributors Ada Rizzo, Shirleen Manzur, Nasser Alshaikhahmed and Vo Thi Nhu Mai also presented readings from their writings.
In a special segment, Helen Pletts of the United States and Ma Yongbo of China presented response poems. The session was facilitated by Manzurul Islam Chowdhury, a founding member of CHINTON.
Dr Fakrul Alam later presented Certificates of Appreciation to the founding authors present at the ceremony in recognition of their contributions to the inaugural issue.
The event was attended by writers, academics, publishers, literary enthusiasts, readers and members of civil society. Speakers and participants appreciated the initiative to promote literary dialogue beyond national and linguistic boundaries.
In his concluding remarks, Dr Fakrul Alam praised CHINTON as a pioneering bilingual online literary magazine and expressed hope that it would create a distinctive space for literary and cultural exchange and contribute to contemporary literature by connecting writers and readers worldwide.
Manzurul Islam Chowdhury, a founding member, said CHINTON is committed to publishing quality works while providing opportunities for emerging voices from around the world.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Syed Abu Zafar, a founding member of CHINTON. Subrina Islam, assistant professor at the University of Asia Pacific, served as the master of ceremonies.
About CHINTON
CHINTON is a bilingual online literary magazine publishing original and translated works in Bangla and English. It features poetry, fiction, essays, memoirs, travelogues, interviews, reviews, translations and visual arts, with a focus on promoting literary excellence and meaningful dialogue across cultures.
