Italy will be introduced to the works and philosophy of the mystic bard Lalon Fakir when a three-day festival featuring films on him, made by acclaimed director Tanvir Mokammel, and a seminar are held in Rome, from October 14.
Mokammel told The Daily Star that his feature film “Lalon” and documentary “Achin Pakhi” will be screened at the opening ceremony of the festival being organised by the Bangladesh High Commission in Rome. For the benefit of the Italian audience, the films have been subtitled in Italian.
The Bangladeshi Ambassador to Italy, Masud Bin Momen; President of the Italy-Bangladesh Association of Friendship and Cooperation, Senator Tomaso Zanoletti and renowned Italian anthropologist Professor Alessandra Brocollini will speak at the opening ceremony.
During the Lalon Festival, an international seminar on Lalon Fakir and his philosophy will also be held. Renowned German Lalon-scholar Dr. Klaus Beurle will present a paper. Professor Francesco Zanini of the Arabic and Islamic Studies of Ponificio Institute and Professor Neema Sobhan of La Sapienza University of Rome will attend as guest speakers.
The closing ceremony of the festival will have a repeat show of “Achin Pakhi”. The Lalon Festival has generated considerable enthusiasm among the Bangla-speaking community in Rome, said Mokammel.
-With The Daily Star input
