Architecture - Documentaires - Littérature - Musique - Débats (Architecture, Documentary, Literature, Music and Debates)
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Regards Sur le Bangladesh
Apr 07, 2025 – Apr 12, 2025
Regards Sur le Bangladesh
Regards sur le Bangladesh, a Franco-Bangladeshi Week in Paris
Architecture Documentaires Littérature Musique Débats
The idea of a Bangladeshi week in France emerged to highlight this little-known country. The program we are proposing is based on our cooperation activities in the fields of architecture, artistic creation, literature, climate, and cinema, with partners invested in this partnership framework.
We are opening a window on a country whose recent events, linked to the spring revolution and ensuing political instability, place it at the center of many challenges. We invite the audience on a new journey—far from the usual pessimistic clichés about Bangladesh (poverty, climate disasters, pollution)—to showcase a positive image of its vibrant energies, cultural richness, and new ambitions.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our partners for their commitment to constructing this program: Institut français, the association chaired by Erik Orsenna, Initiative pour le Futur des Grands Fleuves, Cité de l’architecture, INALCO, and the Théâtre National de la Colline.
Monday April 7, at the Cité de l'architecture
– Screening – Bamboo Stories (Shaheen Dill-Riaz) at 15h30
This documentary follows five men navigating a perilous journey on a raft carrying 25,000 bamboo logs through the rivers of Bangladesh. Facing heat, rapids, and river pirates, they strive to reach Dhaka’s wholesalers on time. The film presents breathtaking imagery and an intimate portrayal of this traditional yet challenging trade.
– Debate with Erik Orsenna and Elisabeth Ayrault
– Lecture – Kashef Mahboob Chowdhury, Architect
Founding partner of URBANA, Chowdhury’s work is rooted in history, emphasizing climate, materials, and human context. His projects range from low-cost ship conversions to mosques, museums, and residential developments.
– Old Dhaka Learning Project – Reflections by:
- Marc Barani
- Mathieu Lucas
- Franck Boute
- Luiz Lopez
- Francis Rambert
– Video Mapping Showcase
A video presentation titled “GAANER KULI,” produced by Compagnie Des châteaux en l’air, will take place. The company was founded by multimedia artist and performer Ramona Poenaru, alongside actor and theatre director Gaël Chaillat, with the aim of merging their diverse artistic disciplines. Their collaborative efforts encompass a range of projects, including performances, installations, and events. In their artistic journey, Ramona and Gaël have traveled through Puran Dhaka, exploring the lives along the Buriganga River to create video art that is seamlessly integrated into their live performances.
Thursday, April 10 – INALCO
– Screening – Bengal Delta: Journey to the Land of Misfortune.
- In 2005, the Argos collective carried out the first international survey of climate refugees. As photographer, Laurent Weyl went to Bangladesh to meet those fleeing the south of the country who were fleeing the rising waters in the south of the country. Seventeen years later, Laurent and Tihami, his then and Tihami, his interpreter at the time, set off to find the same families, to see the consequences of climate change on this resilient people. Climate change on this resilient yet fragile people.
– Screening – Song of Whales (Afroza Hossain Sarah)
- This animated short film tells the story of environmental destruction through the eyes of Bangladeshi fishermen and a grieving mother whale.
– Round Table – The City-River Relationship: Views from Dhaka and Buriganga
- This discussion will address environmental and heritage issues in Dhaka, climate migration from the Sundarbans, and riverfront redevelopment.
- Panelists include:
- Pascal Bourdeaux (IAGF, Historian)
- Laurent Weyl (Photographer, Argos Collective Founder)
- François Grosjean (Director, Alliance française de Dhaka)
- Jessica Bergstein-Collay (IAGF Project Manager)
- Olivier Bougnot (Curator, INALCO)
Saturday, April 12 – Théâtre National de la Colline
– Theater – Wajdi Mouawad’s Staging of Texts by Shaheen Akter, Akteruzaman Elias and Kaiser Haq
– Round Table – Bengali Literature and Society featuring:
Wajdi Mouawad; Shaheen Akter; Kaiser Haq; Olivier Litvine and Olivier Bougnot
Closing Session:
The event will wrap up with a captivating concert featuring melodic music performed by Bangladeshi and French artists, including Rahul Anand, Manu Theron, and other special guests.
Our esteemed event collaborators... / Nos partenaires
