Dhaka : The British Council-supported WO I MAN: The WOW Fest was held on Friday, 25 September 2026 at the ALOKI, Dhaka, bringing together artists, cultural practitioners, young people and communities for a day of performances, installations, exhibitions and discussion. Produced by Shadhona and Nrittoshilpi Foundation Bangladesh through the British Council’s WOW (Women of the World) Bangladesh 2026 programme, the festival formed part of the British Council’s commitment to supporting women and girls, encouraging youth participation, and creating spaces for dialogue, leadership and creative expression through arts and culture. Under the theme “Remembering Memories, Reclaiming Bodies”, the festival explored how women experience, navigate and challenge social expectations through movement, storytelling and collective artistic practice. The festival programme opened from 12:00 noon with exhibitions, participatory installations, a creative marketplace and food stalls. Visitors were invited to contribute to Bohurekha, an evolving participatory artwork by artist Ishrat Rouf, sharing reflections on memory, identity and lived experience. The afternoon programme included performances and presentations exploring themes such as bodily autonomy, childhood, social expectations, identity and belonging. From 4:00 PM, audiences experienced four ensemble dance-theatre works examining women’s participation in public life, gender norms, power structures, displacement, resilience and collective action. These included “Women’s Politics and Women in Politics” under the theme of patriarchy and feminism; “Inside the Line” under the theme of capitalism, consumerism and the female body; “Did God Say These Things?” under the theme of faith, feminisms and ritual politics; and “After the Silence” under the theme of war, conflict, migration and feminism. Alongside the performances, the photographic exhibition From Score to Stage documented the participants’ creative journey and the collaborative process behind the festival. The festival reflects the British Council Bangladesh’s focus on supporting young people, women and girls, inclusion and the development of a more connected and innovative creative sector. Lubna Marium, Artistic Director, Shadhona, said, “As you must know, a lot is happening in Bangladesh right now. Still, I have always remained very optimistic because we, as women, are far from disempowered; we have always known how to fight back. “ She added, “We remain grateful to the British Council for supporting our efforts as we still have a long journey ahead of us.” By creating opportunities for dialogue, artistic experimentation and community participation, WO I MAN highlights the role of arts and culture in fostering understanding, amplifying diverse voices and supporting a more inclusive future. -Press Release Post Views: 51 Post navigation Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzaque joins BRAC Bank Board as Independent Director Uber Appoints S M Jamshed Hasan as Country Head for Uber Bangladesh
