This event has been organised duly. This page now hosts the original announcement that is to be consulted for research or educational purposes.

André Malraux was always a muktijoddha (freedom fighter). During the 1930s, Malraux was active in the antifascist Popular Front in France. During the Spanish Civil War in 1936 he joined the Republican faction in Spain, and he joined the French Resistance during the WWII. At the age of 70 in September 1971, he was one mighty voice to air on the radio a vehement call for the constitution of a new International Brigade for Bangladesh, and his announcement to come forward for military service received hundreds of letters from volunteers. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman invited Malraux in recognition of his commitment to Bangladesh’s cause and in 1973 Malraux visited the independent Bangladesh.

André Malraux was the very first Minister of Cultural Affairs in France, appointed by General Charles de Gaulle in 1959. Between the acts of his dramatic and absorbing life, Malraux wrote several brilliant and powerful novels dealing with the tragic ambiguities of political idealism and revolutionary struggle. He has also authored articles, essays, and books on history and criticism of art.

In commemoration of the 40th anniversary of André Malraux's passing, under the patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of Bangladesh and the Embassy of France in Dhaka, Alliance Française and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy are organising a series of cultural events. These events are focusing on the support brought by André Malraux to the liberation war in September 1971, and the homage he paid during his visit to Bangladesh in 1973 to the sacrifice of martyrs, intellectuals, students and people of Bangladesh.

The events are organised on 22 and 23 November 2016 in Dhaka and on 26 November 2016 in Chittagong. The main event on 23 November 2016 at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is dedicated to the students of the University of Dhaka.

Programmes at Alliance Française
Tuesday, 22 November 2016 at 5 pm
at Auditorium Nouvelle Vague, Alliance Française de Dhaka

• Reading session by The Reading Circle on Man’s Fate (English translation of La condition humaine), winner of The Goncourt Prize in 1933
• Address by Dr Gurupada Chakraborty: “Translating L’Espoir of André Malraux into Bangla, the Linguistic Challenges and the Options Adopted”
• Screening of Espoir - Sierra de Teruel, film adaptation of L’Espoir, directed by André Malraux and Boris Peskine (1h28 min, Spanish with English subtitles)

Saturday, 26 November 2016 at 7 pm
at Auditorium, Alliance Française de Chittagong

• Introduction speech by Jean-Pierre Poncet, Deputy Head of Mission and Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of France to Bangladesh
• Drama performance titled আশা, Asha, directed by Ashim Das, Fame, Chittagong Speech by Md. Shamsul Arefin, Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong
• Address by Dr Gurupada Chakraborty: “Translating L’Espoir of André Malraux into Bangla”
• Address by Prof. Dr Kamaluddin Ahmed, Chairman, Department of English, University of Chittagong: “Malraux and His Humanist Philosophy”
• Address by Shamsuddin Khan, President, Executive Committee, Alliance Française de Chittagong: “Personal Testimony of Malraux's Visit at My Home in Chittagong”
• Mime performance by Anadikalpa
• Screening of the documentary: “Malraux’s Visit to Bangladesh in 1973 Through the Eyes of Prof. Dr Mahmud Shah Qureshi”

Programmes at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
Wednesday, 23 November 2016 at 10.30 am
at Jatiyo Chitrashala Auditorium, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy

• Two exhibitions titled “Drawing Freely” and “Novembre à Paris”, in the lobby Speech by HE Sophie Aubert, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh
• Address by Prof. Dr A A M S Arefin Siddique, Vice Chancellor, University of Dhaka: “About Malraux and the University of Dhaka”
• Speech by HE Asaduzzaman Noor, Minister of Cultural Affairs
• Screening of the documentary: “Malraux’s Visit to Bangladesh in 1973 Through the Eyes of Prof. Dr Mahmud Shah Qureshi”
• Address by Dr Gurupada Chakraborty: “Translating L’Espoir of André Malraux into Bangla” Drama performance titled আশা, Asha, directed by Ashim Das, Fame, Chittagong
• Round-table on “Public Cultural Policies and Private Initiative for Culture” with panellists HE Asaduzzaman Noor, HE Mario Palma, Prof. Kaiser Haq, Nadia Samdani, Ziauddin Tariq Ali, and Anisul Hoque as moderator

Download the programme booklet here (PDF file, 836 KB)