UNESCO Heritage
Think you've seen it all? Wait till you visit this 8th-century gem in Bangladesh
Somapura Mahavihara — “the Great Monastery situated in the locality of the moon” — is one of the oldest monuments in the country, and a UNESCO heritage site. Located to the northwest of Bangladesh in the district of Naogaon, the ruins of the Buddhist vihara at Paharpur serves as a cue to what was once a flourishing Buddhist culture.
#Perspective / Traditions treasured, artisans in shadows: Is UNESCO's recognition truly benefiting local craftspeople?
On 6 December 2023, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced the inclusion of Bangladesh's iconic rickshaws and rickshaw art on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Similarly, many of our heritage crafts, namely the traditional art of Jamdani and Shital Pati weaving were given recognition by UNESCO in 2013 and 2017 respectively. But how are our artisans doing?
Story of a Rickshaw Artist: Md Monir Hossain's struggle and triumph
With dreams of imparting the art of rickshaw painting to future generations, Monir Hossain envisions establishing a formal institution.
Think you've seen it all? Wait till you visit this 8th-century gem in Bangladesh
Somapura Mahavihara — “the Great Monastery situated in the locality of the moon” — is one of the oldest monuments in the country, and a UNESCO heritage site. Located to the northwest of Bangladesh in the district of Naogaon, the ruins of the Buddhist vihara at Paharpur serves as a cue to what was once a flourishing Buddhist culture.
Traditions treasured, artisans in shadows: Is UNESCO's recognition truly benefiting local craftspeople?
On 6 December 2023, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced the inclusion of Bangladesh's iconic rickshaws and rickshaw art on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Similarly, many of our heritage crafts, namely the traditional art of Jamdani and Shital Pati weaving were given recognition by UNESCO in 2013 and 2017 respectively. But how are our artisans doing?
Story of a Rickshaw Artist: Md Monir Hossain's struggle and triumph
With dreams of imparting the art of rickshaw painting to future generations, Monir Hossain envisions establishing a formal institution.