CLICK. CREATE. CONNECT.

With the theme, "Click. Create. Connect." Viqarunnisa Noon School Triune Festival 1.0 (sponsored by Kai Aluminium) kicked off on November 10. The event was one of a kind, as for the first time photography, arts and crafts, and anime were combined for a school level competition.

Along with the Principal Sufia Khatun, the inauguration ceremony was presided over by the editor of Prothom Alo, Matiur Rahman. The guests stressed on the importance of such festivals for shaping cognitive skills, and encouraged students to take part in creative events alongside traditional education.

Anika Anjum, the head organiser of the event, said, "This was the first time cosplay was considered as one of the main events at a school level competition. Participation in arts and crafts competitions, photography contests, cosplay is increasing but hasn't yet been encouraged by society or parents. Our main focus was to encourage the students and parents to accept and indulge in these events besides participating in science, math, English Olympiads as it's important to be creative too."

The festival had many highlights, especially through the participation of students from not just traditional schools but also from special schools. The festival saw the participation of students from the SWID (Society for the Welfare of the Intellectually Disabled, Bangladesh) School.

The festival featured arts and crafts exhibition, wall magazine display, photography competition, anime review writing, anime drawing competition, quiz and much more. The students showed great ambition and potential in all of these activities. The wall magazine display was a burst of colours on different social issues like racism, global warming etc.

Cosplay, one of the main attractions at the festival, had an overwhelming participation of school students. Kazi M. Noor was the judge of cosplay. He said, "It's great to see youngsters embracing new forms of arts and cultural practices."

The festival ended on November 14 with a programme where Japanese culture was showcased by the school students of Viqarunnisa and with traditional dance performance by students of SWID School as well.

After months of hard work and dedication of the youngest school panel members of photography, arts and crafts and anime club, the event turned out to be a huge success. The event was co-sponsored by Platinum Group, Prothom Alo and Rangs Group. ABC radio, Channel Agami and Kishor Alo were the media partners. Banglalion and Maggi were internet and food partners at the event respectively.

Nazifa Raidah loves books, movies, creeping people out and singing in the shower. She also checks for monsters under her bed every now and then. Send her your thoughts at nazifa45678@gmail.com