PEN Bangladesh has said it is committed to uphold Bangla literature on the world stage.
This was said during the 46th Annual General Meeting of PEN Bangladesh, held at the University of Liberal Arts (ULAB) in Dhanmondi on Wednesday (Dec 18).
“This year, PEN achieved registration as a social organization in Bangladesh. It was established in Bangladesh and is also now recognized by PEN International,” PEN Bangladesh Executive Adviser and Litterateur Kazi Anis Ahmed said.
“Through this, the path to lift Bangla literature and the people of Bengal to the world platform has been made easier,” he added.
PEN Bangladesh President, writer and educationist Syed Manzoorul Islam, General Secretary Mohammad Mohiuddin and Treasurer Mohammad Anisur Rahman were present at the meeting, among others.
At the beginning of the meeting, new members were welcomed by the PEN committee. They are Educationist and Novelist Mohitul Alam, Hyphel Hashmi, Translator Jackie Kabir and Writer Papri Rahman.
Kazi Anis further said: “Being a four-decade-old organization, PEN Bangladesh has been operating since independence. Litterateur Farida Hossain took charge of it but its activities were being halted due to various unwanted reasons.”
“The new committee has already taken various steps to make the organization active again.”
He hoped that PEN Bangladesh would engage its members in various activities.
“The year 2020 will be a turn around phase of PEN Bangladesh. Involvement of its various members will be established inside the country and abroad,” Kazi Anis said.
He thanked the PEN executive committee for the newly recruited members.
Prof Manzoorul in his speech at the program, said: "In the last one year, PEN has faced many obstacles while moving forward, yet its numbers are increasing steadily and various activities are being conducted throughout the year.”
At the same time, General Secretary Mohammad Mohiuddin highlighted the year-long program and the possible action plan.
He said that apart from Bangla, the logo used by PEN Bangladesh has the alphabet of small ethnic groups of Bangladesh.
The goal and purpose of PEN Bangladesh will be to establish the culture of Bengal in a holistic way.
This year, Farida Hossain, former president of PEN Bangladesh, was given special honours.
Farida who served as the organization’s president for 13 years, said: “I have been trying to hand over the responsibility of PEN to someone for a long time. “
“The present committee has succeeded in my efforts. PEN’s current activities have fascinated me.”
She also urged PEN Bangladesh to adopt a plan to create an environment for writers, as well as urged them to get involved in activities like making films, with the assistance of PEN International.