The International Disability Art Festival 2024, the culmination event of the British Council's project DARE, will kick off at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka on Friday.

The two-day open-for-all festival features ten theatre plays performed by eight divisional teams from Bangladesh and international theatre groups. It serves as a testament to the ongoing efforts in capacity building among artists with disabilities and the vital role of the arts in bridging societal divides, said a press release.

Attendees will have the opportunity to attend thought-provoking panel discussions exploring themes of representation, accessibility, and finance, to enjoy engaging film screenings and exhibitions promoting disability arts and rights. Additionally, a marketplace will showcase the works of various disability organisations, developmental agencies, and arts institutions.

The festival's inauguration ceremony will commence at 3 p.m. and feature an inclusive theatre performance titled' 71 in Silence,' a poignant tribute to Bangladesh's liberation war. Distinguished guests will grace the occasion, including Dr Dipu Moni, Minister of Social Welfare, and Matt Cannell, Deputy High Commissioner and Development Director at the British High Commission in Bangladesh.

Nasir Uddin Yousuff, Founder of Dhaka Theatre, said, ‘Since 2013, Dhaka Theatre has started its journey to integrate disability art with the mainstream theatre in Bangladesh, which faced myriad challenges, each day presenting new hurdles. Yet, through unwavering dedication and collaborative synergy among disabled artists, trainers, the British Council team, and the diligent Dhaka Theatre team, remarkable strides have been made, and the International Disability Arts Festival 2024 is a testament to it.’

Reflecting on the significance of the International Disability Arts Festival 2024, David Knox, Director Programmes Bangladesh, British Council, said, 'The British Council builds a connection with the UK and the other countries through Education, English and Arts. Our three priorities in arts are to connect the UK and Bangladesh cultures, support art and culture to respond to global challenges and support the creative sector as an economic sector in the UK and Bangladesh. Today, we are excited to announce the International Disability Arts Festival in Bangladesh and welcome you to this remarkable event to celebrate diversity, creativity, and empowerment.'

The International Disability Arts Festival 2024, running on 26 and 27 April 2024, showcases the outcomes of our long-term work through the Disability Arts: Redefining Empowerment (DARE) programme since 2019. The DARE (Disability Arts: Redefining Empowerment) project is an arts-led multilayer operation aimed at building understanding and confidence amongst the disabled and arts sector in Bangladesh to bring them together and bridge the gap between the people with disabilities and broader society. With the aim to dispel social stigma associated with disability, the project seeks to develop the capacity of the artists and the people with disabilities through a series of training and development programmes in partnership with UK artists and arts organisations, thus mutually benefitting both countries. The project was launched in 2019 in collaboration with Dhaka Theatre and IID.

The theatre tickets are free and can be purchased online in advance here at www.dare-festival.com or on-site at the venue on the festival dates.