Launch Event of "Hidden Heritage: Homes in Dhaka"

Sat 17 Sep - Sat 17 Sep' 22

The website for the project “Hidden Heritage: Homes in Dhaka,” produced by Bengal Institute with support from EUNIC (the European National Institutes for Culture), was launched on 17th September, 2022 afternoon. The partners for this project were: Bengal Institute, EU Delegation in Bangladesh, Alliance Française de Dhaka, British Council Bangladesh, Goethe-Institut Bangladesh and Embassy of Spain.

A first of its kind in Bangladesh, the web-based project focuses on highlighting homes and houses in Dhaka from various periods in its history. The first phase of the project which includes five houses was marked by a launch event on 17th September, at the well-known Haturia House in Bongshal. His Excellency Charles Whiteley, the Ambassador of the European Union in Bangladesh was present as the chief guest. The British High Commissioner to Bangladesh H.E. Robert Chatterton Dickson, the French Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Deputy Head of Mission, Political and Cultural Affairs H.E. Guillaume Audren de Kerdel, Director of Alliance Française de Dhaka, François Grosjean, Director of Goethe-Institut Bangladesh, Dr. Kirsten Hackenbroch, Director General of Bengal Institute Prof Kazi Khaleed Ashraf, family members of the heritage houses, and many well-wishers were present at the event.

Conceived as a dedicated documentation and web-based presentation of significant homes and buildings, the project has been undertaken to document selected buildings/spaces within greater Dhaka city, along with their historical, societal and environmental context. Each house is depicted through a multimedia platform including 360 degree photography, regular photographs, videos, new drawings, and other documents.

The website is accessible at: https://hiddenheritage.org/
Photo credit: Nasir Khan Saikat, Tahmina Khan Shaily and Goethe-Institut /Ahadul Karim Khan