The International Ibsen Seminar and Theatre Festival 2009 ended at the National Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on November 23. A discussion and prize giving ceremony for the art exhibition and competition on theatre icon Selim Al Deen were the highlights of the closing day. Centre for Asian Theatre (CAT) staged it's latest production, "The Communicator", on the last day. It was the second show of the play at the festival.

"The Ibsen Festival brought young and seasoned theatre enthusiasts together, as it featured productions directed by both renowned and emerging individuals," said Nasiruddin Yousuff, president, Shammilita Sangskritik Jote.

"It has been wonderful knowing that Ibsen brought so many people together over the last couple of weeks," said Ingebjorg Stofring, the Norwegian Ambassador.

Renowned artist Quayyum Chowdhury, who was one of the judges of the art competition, said, "It was an innovative idea to commemorate Al Deen through art. I felt that the artworks by young artistes were in-depth and reflected Al Deen's thoughts."

Md. Azmal Uddin, Department of Graphics Design, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka won the first prize. Kanak Kumar Pathak, Department of Fine Arts, Rajshahi University and Md. Khalequzzaman Shimul, University of Development Alternative, won the second and third position respectively.

The three winners received their awards from the chief guest. The first, second and third prizes included Tk 50,000, Tk 30,000 and Tk 20,000 respectively. In total 126 artworks on Al Deen were exhibited at the festival.

At the programme, the organisers donated half of the total proceeds from sale of the artworks to the Selim Al Deen Foundation. Nasiruddin Yousuff received the money on behalf of the foundation.

Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad was the chief guest at the programme. The minister lauded the organisers for arranging the festival and hoped that in future such events will take place regularly.

Among others, Professor Shafi Ahmed, coordinator of the festival; Kamal Lohani, director general, BSA and Shahjahan Ahmed Bikash, convenor of the Selim Al Deen Art Exhibition spoke at the programme. Mosharraf Hossain Tutul, secretary general, CAT gave the vote of thanks.

The festival was organised by Centre for Asian Theatre in association with Centre for Ibsen Studies (University of Oslo), Jahangirnagar University, Norwegian Embassy (Dhaka), ICCR, BSA and Grameenphone.

The 13-day festival featured staging of 23 adaptations of Ibsen plays by 19 local and foreign troupes. Participating Bangladeshi troupes were: CAT, Nagarik Natya Sampradaya, Aranyak Natyadal, Natyakendra, Prachyanat, Palakar and BSA.

Participating troupes from overseas were: Chorus Repertory from Manipur and Vivadi Theatre from New Delhi, India; Moaser Theatre Group from Iran, LaMusica Independent Theatre Group from Egypt, Tehrik-E-Niswan from Pakistan and Aarohan Theatre from Nepal.                                                                 

                                                                                                              jamil mahmud .                                                   

sourc:daily star