Exquisite Bonsai Exhibition

A four-day Japan Cultural Festival began at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) premises on March 4 with an exquisite bonsai contest and exhibition. The Embassy of Japan and BSA have jointly organised the festival, which will end tomorrow with the staging of BSA's Japanese theatre production, "One Hundred Sacks of Rice", at the National Theatre Hall. Screening of a Japanese animation film, "Nobita's Dinosaur 2006", is also on the cards.

On March 4, Masayuki Inoue, ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, inaugurated the festival at the National Art Gallery. In his speech, Inoue extended his condolences to the victims of last weeks' tragic incident at the BDR headquarters and their families.

The organisers have had to reschedule and cut short the eight-day programme (earlier scheduled to start on February 28) to four days and have had to cancel a four-day ikebana exhibition.

Among others, Bhuiyan Shafiqul Islam, director general of BSA, was present at the programme.

The bonsai exhibition is jointly organised by Bangladesh Bonsai Society (BBS) and Japanese Embassy. The exhibition featured nearly 100 miniature version of trees including common Bangladeshi trees like Bokul, Tetul, Pakur, Hijal, Bougainvillea and Kamini.

Bonsai has flourished in Japan as a creative art and epitomises scenic beauty, seasonal moods and the natural environment. Bonsai enthusiasts believe that this art reflects our love and concern for the environment and for trees in particular--which transforms gigantic trees to miniatures and suitable for homes.

Since 1999, the Bangladesh Bonsai Society has undertaken creditable efforts to promote this Japanese art. At present, apart from Dhaka, the society has extended its branches to Rajshahi, Sylhet and Habiganj.

Three of the best-exhibited potted plants will be awarded at the exhibition.