Prof Yunus presents artbook on graffiti to US officials

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today presented an artbook on the graffiti on the roadside walls in Bangladesh to a visiting US delegation during a meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna here. The Chief Adviser commissioned the artbook immediately after he was sworn in as the head of the Interim Government on August 8.

The book carries photos of some of the finest art works drawn by the students and young people on the walls of Dhaka and other cities and towns marking the fall of the autocratic regime in the July-August student-people uprising.  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. Dhaka became the Graffiti Capital of the world after young painters turned its walls into powerful canvases. They have written slogans and poetry to deliver powerful messages.

The messages reflect the spirit of the revolution and the aspirations for a discrimination-free Bangladesh. The Chief Adviser recalled how students used their artworks to deliver messages with the support of the people from all walks of life.

"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.