After earning my master’s degree, I gained two years of professional experience (from September 2016 to September 2018) by working at the International Hope School Bangladesh and the Alliance Française in Chittagong. Dr. Selvam Thorez, the former director of the Alliance Française in Chittagong, supported me in the administrative processes for participating in residency programs and securing a scholarship.

In 2018, I joined the Institut Supérieur des Beaux-Arts de Besançon, where I began the second year of the Diplôme National d’Art (DNA), which I completed in 2020. In 2022, I earned the Diplôme National Supérieur d’Expression Plastique (DNSEP), also from the Institut Supérieur des Beaux-Arts de Besançon.

Throughout these years, I explored a wide range of artistic techniques, both in traditional and contemporary art, including sketching, watercolor, painting, printmaking, installation, and performance art.

During my studies at the ISBA, I took part in several study trips to cities such as Essen, Vienna, Bolzano, Verona, Zurich, Como, Basel, and the island of Elba. These journeys allowed me to visit numerous museums, including the Folkwang Museum in Essen, the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, the Kunstmuseum Basel, the Fondation Beyeler, the Consortium Museum, and the GTA Archive.

From October 2020 to March 2021, I had the opportunity to spend six months on an Erasmus exchange at the Academy of Fine Arts in Dresden, Germany (HFBK), where I worked under the guidance of sculptor Carl Emanuel Wolff. I also attended theoretical courses on Romantic art and German Expressionism. Although many classes and exhibitions were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was fortunate to form friendships with other international students living in my dormitory.

During my time in Dresden, I learned engraving and typography techniques from artists Hanif Lehmann and Christine Wahl. This experience not only enriched my artistic practice but also allowed me to immerse myself in different cultures while remaining in Germany.

In 2022-2023, I earned a professional degree in Exhibition Professions and Information Technology from the University of Franche-Comté in Besançon. This program included a three-month internship, where I applied my knowledge in art history, archaeology legislation, guiding techniques, and other related fields.

My internship at the Municipal Museum of Pontarlier and the Château de Joux provided me with the opportunity to put these skills into practice in a professional setting. This experience allowed me not only to pursue my passion for the subjects covered by the museum but also to enhance the value of this historical site for a diverse audience while meeting the museum’s objectives.

This was my first true immersion into the working world, with its constraints, hierarchies, schedules, and responsibilities. The experience proved to be incredibly rewarding. Beyond the daily tasks, I received constructive feedback that significantly strengthened my professional outlook and maturity.
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Cultural mediation is a fascinating field where students play a key role in implementing initiatives that promote interaction and understanding between different cultures. Located near the Swiss border, Pontarlier attracts visitors from Switzerland, Germany, and, due to the influence of Toussaint Louverture, even from Haiti.

During this internship, I explored the long-term management of a museum site, where the dynamics largely depend on individual efforts to animate this place of memory. I had the opportunity to work with a diverse audience, welcome visitors, create educational materials for students of all levels, and prepare activities for the European Museum Days 2023, as well as a temporary exhibition dedicated to Pierre Bichet.

This internship, with its 7-hour workdays and 5-day workweeks, provided me with a comprehensive and varied experience. It allowed me to develop different working methods, each requiring a commitment of time, creativity, and efficiency. Thanks to the heritage service of the City Hall, which initiates numerous heritage and cultural projects, I was able to contribute to a rich entertainment offering for both local and international visitors.

Humanities Degree

Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities at the University of Rennes 2, I am specializing in Classical and Modern European Cultures. This program enriches my knowledge in European history, literature, and art history. I am deeply convinced that our cultural differences are the driving force behind creativity. In a constantly evolving world, my goal is to use my experiences as a creator and my knowledge to foster the sharing and discovery of other artists. I aim to help them amplify their voices and gain recognition.

Why I Chose This Degree

To clarify why I chose to apply to the University of Rennes 2 and what I have discovered during this course:

After obtaining my professional degree in Exhibition Professions and Information Technology (LP METI), I faced crucial decisions regarding the future direction of my career. I was torn between pursuing a degree in art history or modern literature. The prospect of working in a museum after graduation resonated with my previous experiences. I had a particular interest in roles such as collection manager, curator, and exhibition organizer. However, I realized that to achieve my professional and artistic goals, it was essential to deepen my understanding of art history, particularly European history. That is why I chose to enroll in the program at the University of Rennes 2, knowing it would be beneficial for my future endeavors.

This reformulation clearly distinguishes the initial motivations for enrolling in university and the discoveries made during the training.

I’m Tanjim Chowdhury, an artist and student from Bangladesh, currently living and studying in France. The ongoing turmoil in my home country fills me with a deep sense of helplessness and shame. The political situation in Bangladesh has reached a boiling point, with student protests and demands for a merit-based system being met with violence and repression. In this post, I express my solidarity with the students and delve into the context and consequences of their struggle.

The Escalation of Protests

The student protests in Bangladesh began weeks ago, but the violence escalated dramatically at the start of this week. Student protesters were attacked by activists from the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party. This aggression came in response to the students’ demands for a merit-based quota system for government jobs, a demand rooted in the widespread frustration with the existing system.

The Quota System Controversy

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh recently scaled back the quota system for government jobs after it led to nationwide unrest and deadly clashes between police and protesters. Previously, 30% of government jobs were reserved for the families of veterans from the 1971 war of independence against Pakistan. The court’s decision now mandates that 93% of government jobs be allocated on a merit-based system, leaving 5% reserved for the children of independence war veterans and 2% for other categories.

Government’s Heavy-Handed Response

In an attempt to quell the protests, the Sheikh Hasina government imposed a nationwide curfew, which has been extended until 3 pm on Sunday. The police have been ordered to “shoot on sight” to suppress the demonstrations, leading to a mounting death toll that now stands at 114. Only emergency services are permitted to operate, and public holidays have been declared for Sunday and Monday.

A Catalyst for Outrage

The protests intensified following a controversial statement by Prime Minister Hasina on July 14, where she questioned if the grandchildren of Razakars (collaborators during the 1971 war) should benefit from the quota system if the grandchildren of freedom fighters do not. This remark ignited further outrage among the youth, who are already grappling with high unemployment rates. With nearly 32 million people out of work or education in a population of 170 million, the demand to abolish the 30% reservation for war veterans’ families has gained significant traction.

The Human Cost of the Protests

The protests have had a severe human toll. Six people were killed, and hundreds were injured in clashes this week alone. The government’s decision to close all universities—epicenters of the movement—has not deterred the students. Instead, it has led to a tense standoff, culminating in deadly violence on Thursday. In Dhaka, thousands of students clashed with armed police, resulting in over 100 fatalities, including a bus driver and several students. The AFP news agency reported 39 deaths this week, with local media confirming at least 28 deaths as of Thursday.

A Nationwide Curfew and Its Implications

In response to the escalating violence, Bangladesh has enforced a nationwide curfew, deploying military personnel and police to patrol the streets of Dhaka. The death toll continues to rise, with hospitals across the country reporting numerous casualties. The Dhaka Medical College Hospital received 27 bodies on Friday alone, pushing the death toll to 114.

A Message to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

As an artist and a student, I am compelled to address Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directly. Honorable Prime Minister, although you lost the merit to be addressed as “honorable” long ago, today, blinded by the arrogance of power, you have lost all sense of right and wrong. You have forgotten that 15 years ago, you came to power through the overwhelming votes of the common people of Bengal, not just through the votes of your sycophants.

You have broken your promises, and the sympathy you garnered by capitalizing on the emotion of losing your loved ones has turned into widespread pain for the people of Bengal. The tears you shed over your family’s loss have become a farce, and your actions have belittled your father and your entire family. You, who mourned for Russel, have become the murderer of thousands of Russels.

If you truly respected the liberation war and its freedom fighters, your regime would be free of corruption. No helpless, crippled freedom fighter would have to beg, nor would any freedom fighter have to bribe for their allowance. Fake freedom fighters wouldn’t get the chance either.

Your experience and wisdom are evident, yet you fail to apply them correctly. How much more bloodshed and humiliation will satisfy your lust for power? When will your thirst for power and blood be quenched?

Conclusion

The situation in Bangladesh is dire, and the student protests are a testament to the frustration and desperation of the younger generation. They demand justice and a merit-based system, and their voices should not be silenced through violence and repression. As a Bangladeshi living abroad, I stand with them in their fight for a fairer future.