Speaker - 70 Years-On Conversations on Tuesday, 13 September 2022 | 11.30-13.30 & 14.30-16.30

Shahidul Alam, acclaimed Bangladesh photographer and initiator of the first photography festival, Chobi Mela, in Asia, challenged the minds of festival managers and guests with his opening provocation to mark the start of the 15th Atelier for Young Festival Managers running from 23-29 March 2019 in Valletta. He reiterated the experience during the panel 'Artists Changing the World' at the Atelier for Young Festival Managers from 16 - 22 June 2021 in Düsseldorf, both organised by The Festival Academy.

Alam openly shared his story, experience, and ongoing pursuit for social justice through media, education and culture, even in most harsh contexts, demonstrating the power of arts, community involvement and festivals as platforms for social change, resistance and possible ‘Spaces of Dissent’.