Exhibition of Bangladeshi archeological masterpieces in Paris threatened

FE Team | Published: September 27, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

The first major international exhibition of Bangladeshi archeological masterpieces scheduled to begin at Guimet Museum in Paris from October 23 is virtually threatened by disputes over sending 188 items, reports UNB.
The exhibits from five Bangladesh museums were scheduled to be on display at exhibition under an agreement signed between the French Ambassador to Bangladesh and the Secretary of cultural affairs ministry on July 31.
But a group of Bangladesh citizens raised the legality of the contract and filed a public litigation case in the High Court that ordered to stop sending the exhibits for next two months pending disposal of the matter.
The litigants feared that the precious items to be sent to the Paris museum might not be returned to Bangladesh.
The 188 items were selected from Dhaka National Museum, museums of Paharpur, Mahasthan Garh, Mainamati and Varendra.
Under the agreement Guimet Museum is to bear the entire cost US$ 700,000 to organise the single country exhibition on Bangladeshi artefacts.
French Ambassador Jacques-Andre Costilhes at a press conference at Hotel La Vinci today sharply reacted to the objection. He said the "image of France has been greatly tarnished by some individuals of the civil society of Bangladesh who have accused France of plotting to steal the archeological artefacts of Bangladeshi museum through this exhibition in my country."
Citing such international exhibitions being held around the world, the Ambassador said the British Museum recently held an exhibition of artefacts from China on one of the main archeological discoveries of the 20th century.
He said the Louvre museum of Paris is exhibiting in Beijing 130 statues and vases of classical Greece of the 5th and 4th centuries BC in November.
Ambassador Costilhes would not comment on legal aspects and the court proceedings but claimed "such exhibition in Paris is safe."
He said its purpose is to bring even more closer the people of France and Bangladesh in a very noble field of cooperation: Culture and dialogue of Cultures, and that it can only benefit the image of their country worldwide.
Jean Romnicianu, Deputy Head of the Mission, allaying fear of missing or damage of the items said under the agreement all items are listed, photographed and numbered. The list and condition of the items are checked before and after each transport. Asked if cancellation of the exhibition would adversely affect Bangladesh-France bilateral relations, the Ambassador replied in the negative.
He said the Bangladesh government was extending all cooperation in holding the exhibition. But some individuals want to 'sabotage' and "jeopardise" the exhibition.
In reply to a question, the Ambassador said the exhibition might be cancelled if delayed by two months.
Those who filed the litigation in the High Court were also invited at the press conference. They opposed the Ambassador's words " sabotage" and "jeopardise".