Image Courtesy of Max Pinckers, Chobi Mela VIII Festival
Chobi Mela, the international festival of photography since its inception in 2000 has been the single biggest photography event in Asia and the first of a regular biannual, one that has become one of the highlights of the Asian calendar. It is organised by Drik Picture Library Ltd. and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute. The Eighth edition of Chobi Mela will be held from January 23rd to February 5th, 2015.
Image Courtesy of Alexandra Serrano, Chobi Mela VIII Festival
Every two years, the city Dhaka becomes the unlikely site of this festival, also known to be to the most unusual photography festival in the world. “It is an entirely Bangladeshi-run festival for an international audience. Normally most festivals are based in the west and it is not possible for us to go and visit all these places” says Munem Wasif, the curator of the festival. Munem also reveals the purpose behind the obscure venue locations was to make visitors travel and see the real Dhaka.
Image Courtesy of Sean Lee, Chobi Mela VIII Festival
The theme for this edition is Intimacy. 30 participating photographers come from all over the world, each bringing their own works to inteprete what intimacy means. Whilst most works are hghly artistic in nature, some submission, such as Abdollah Heidari’s photojournalism of a harrowing accident in Iran gave viewers an glimpse of the struggles and dangers faced in by school children and educators, due to the lack of funding for amenities. Also present in this edition, are Larry Towell (Magnum Photographer) who will also be present at the festival workshops and talks.
For full details of the festival program, please visit Chobi Mela VIII
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