Chobi Mela returns in full swing on January 16, 2026, following its last edition—Shunno (Zero), held in 2021.
When it comes to themes, Chobi Mela has a way of reintroducing words like no other. This year’s theme is ‘Re’—a powerful prefix representing Re-repetition, Re-build, and Re-imagine. As the chief adviser of the festival, Shahidul Alam, described it, the festival is more than an exhibition; it is a movement, a resistance, and an awakening.
The 11th edition features 58 artists from 18 countries across five continents. Representing the Global Majority, this year’s festival is led by Artistic Directors Munem Wasif and Sarker Protick, alongside guest curators Tanvi Mishra, Shohrab Jahan, and Yasmine Eid-Sabbagh, all under the guidance of Festival Director ASM Rezaur Rahman.
Under the theme ‘Re,’ Chobi Mela reconnects artists from lands shaped by loss and erasure. In the aftermath of the July 2024 student-led uprisings, the festival uses photography to reflect on rebuilding—holding stories from the Nile to Palestine across Dhaka’s walls.
Beyond the diverse photography exhibitions, the festival also features a rich program of panel discussions and artist talks led by international photographers, architects, and visual storytellers,
The history of Chobi Mela goes back to 2000, when photographer and activist Shahidul Alam noticed a problem: most famous photos of places like Bangladesh were taken by westerners who portrayed either poverty or disaster.
He wanted to flip the script. He didn’t just want a gallery; he wanted a ‘Mela’—a festival for the people where local photographers would hold the camera and tell their own truths. Ever since, it has run smoothly, maintaining an equal following both at home and abroad.
At the inauguration event, Adviser for the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, highlighted that photography is finally gaining the institutional respect it deserves. He informed the audience that a new ordinance will expand the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and establish the nation’s first independent photography department.
In an era where fabricated truths can go viral and be widely believed, such festivals shed light on real stories, ensuring the ‘grey matter’—the nuance and complexity of truth remain prominent for the audience.
This 16-day festival is being held across five major venues in Dhaka: the Bangladesh National Museum, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Alliance Française de Dhaka, DrikPath Bhaban, and the South Plaza of the National Parliament.
The event will run till January 31. If you are in Dhaka, make sure to check out this exhibition before it closes—otherwise, you have to wait another four years for its return.
Written by: Fariha Hossain
