During a meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna here today, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus gave a visiting US group an artbook about the graffiti on Bangladesh’s roadside walls.
On August 8, the Chief Adviser took office as the leader of the Interim Government and promptly ordered the artbook.
The book includes images of some of the best artwork created by youths and students and displayed on walls in Dhaka and other cities and towns to commemorate the overthrow of the dictatorial government during the student movement in July and August.
Prof Yunus spoke about the historic significance of the graffiti, which depicted emotions, hopes, and aspirations of the students and youth who participated in the protests against the fascist Sheikh Hasina regime, defying the brute forces.
“I will request you to look at the walls of Dhaka. These graffiti still exist. They were drawn not just after the revolution. Students defied the government forces to draw graffiti during the protests in July,” the Chief Adviser told the US delegates.
The walls of Dhaka were transformed into powerful canvases by teenage painters, who made the city the global epicenter of graffiti. To convey strong ideas, they have penned poems and slogans.The statements encapsulate the revolution’s ethos and the goals of a Bangladesh devoid of discrimination.
The Chief Adviser recounted how, with the help of people from all walks of life, pupils used their artwork to convey ideas.
“They did not have the money to buy paint and brushes. People came forward to support them,” he told the US team.
Brent Neiman, assistant secretary of the US Treasury Department, led the US delegation during the meeting.
Donald Lu, the US Assistant Secretary of State; Brendan Lynch, Assistant US Trade Representative; Anjali Kaur, Deputy Assistant Administrator; and Jerrod Mason, a Director of the US Treasury Department; were present, among others.
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