DHAKA, Oct 21, 2021 (BSS) - French President Emmanuel Macron said the ongoing exhibition of photographs taken in December 1971 by French photographer Marc Riboud was a testimony to the golden jubilee of the diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and France which was based upon the trust and friendship.

In a letter dated October 18 last, written to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, President of France Macron said, "I am pleased in that regard that this exhibition also contributes to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries that followed very closely the end of the war, as well as a never disproven relationship of trust and friendship."

The solo photography exhibition with 50 photographs titled "Bangladesh 1971: Mourning and Morning" by Marc Riboud that began at the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka on October 16 will end on November 16.

The exhibition will remain open for visitors from Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 5pm (closed on Sunday).

Expressing his happiness over the exhibition, he said that the photos soberly illustrate, with great humanity, the events that led to the independence of Bangladesh.

Macron mentioned in his letter that
Marc Riboud had then spent a month with the "Mukhti Bahini", the freedom fighters, and was one of the very first to enter Dhaka, freed on December 16th 1971.

The French President wrote: "These unique pictures show the admirable courage of Bengali people defending their freedom, their language, their culture, responding to the call of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rhaman."

They also witness the interest of France and French people for a determined nation and a country full of promises, as André Malraux expressed right after the declaration of independence, Macron added.

The letter said that it is a unique exhibition of never-before-seen photographs taken during the Bangladesh Liberation War.