Zainul Festival 2020 at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka, is an annual cultural celebration honoring the legacy of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin. During the COVID-19 period, the festival was held in a hybrid format, combining limited physical participation with strong digital programming to ensure safety while continuing the tradition of artistic tribute.
The event included floral tributes at Zainul Abedin’s grave, exhibitions of archival and contemporary artworks, virtual galleries, and online screenings highlighting his life and contribution to modern Bangladeshi art. Additional programmes featured memorial lectures, cultural performances, student exhibitions, and a crafts fair involving artists and artisans from across the country.
A virtual exhibition in collaboration with Artcon is also held. Works by prominent artists from the subcontinent, along with those by artists from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dhaka University, were exhibited.
The Zainul Festival during COVID became a significant example of resilience in Bangladesh’s cultural landscape, reinforcing the enduring relevance of Zainul Abedin’s artistic vision and the Faculty of Fine Arts’ commitment to creative expression even in challenging times.
