Filipiniana Section Now Open at the National Public Library in Dhaka
The Filipiniana Section at the Central Public Library in Dhaka, the largest public library in the country, is now available to millions of Bangladeshi readers for free through the efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Dhaka and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs-Department of Public Libraries. (Dhaka PE photo)
DHAKA 26 April 2019 — History was made when the first-ever Filipiniana Section in a public library in Bangladesh was established at the Sufia Kamal National Public Library in Dhaka on 20 April 2019.
The opening ceremony for the section was witnessed by Ambassador to Bangladesh Vicente Vivencio T. Bandillo, with State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid as the Chief Guest, and the Department of Public Libraries Director General Ashish Kumar Sarker as the chairperson of the ceremony.
The Filipiniana section was made possible through a joint project between the Embassy and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs-Department of Public Libraries, in which the Embassy donated books, furniture, table flags of the Philippines and Bangladesh, as well as a resized replica of the historical Murillo Map of the Philippines to the National Public Library in Dhaka.
Populating the section are books on Philippine history, Original Pilipino Music, Philippine poetry, Philippine children’s books, reference and Filipino language books, novels by iconic Filipino authors, and essay collections of acclaimed Filipino intellectuals.
The project marks the first collaborative cultural exchange under the Philippine-Bangladesh Cultural Exchange Programme for the years 2018-2020.
“Bangladeshis are a book-loving people and it brings me much joy to know that Bangladeshi readers of all ages will have the materials available for them to learn more about the history, culture, heritage, and geography of the Philippines,” Ambassador Bandillo said.
For his part, Minister Khalid said that the new Filipiniana section will help Bangladeshi readers to know about the culture, literature and social scenarios of the Philippines, and that the project would strengthen the cultural bondage of the two countries.
Director General Sarker noted that the project was initiated by the Embassy and that Philippine-Bangladeshi ties would be strengthened with sustained cultural exchanges.
The Sufia Kamal National Public Library is the largest public library in Bangladesh with a collection of up to 1.2 million books. With origins dating as far back as 1954, the Library plays an important role in promoting cultural appreciation in the lives of everyday Bangladeshis.
An estimate of 3000 readers go to the library to enjoy its facilities, which will now include its first foreign-themed collection, the new Filipiniana section. END
Ambassador to Bangladesh Vicente Vivencio T. Bandillo delivers his speech during the opening ceremony of the Filipinana Section at the Sufia Kamal National Public Library on 20 April 2019. Ambassador Bandillo candidly expressed his hope that at least one of the 3000 daily readers that visit the National Public Library would venture into the Filipiniana section and examine its books and map, and learn about his beloved country, the Philippines. (Dhaka PE photo)
Foreground from left: Department of Public Libraries Director General Ashish Kumar Sarker, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, and Philippine Ambassador to Bangladesh Vicente Vivencio T. Bandillo cut the ribbon to offically open the Filipiniana Section to the public at the Sufia Kamal National Public Library in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 20 April 2019. They are joined by Madame Alma Bandillo, standing to the left hand side of the Ambassador. (Dhaka PE photo)
For more information, visit www.dhakape.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBangladesh/.