DHAKA: An authentic Moon Boat from Cox’s Bazar is on display in the International Nautic Show from December 5-14 at the exhibition center of Porte de Versailles in Paris.
A French NGO ‘Watever’ brought the 28-foot long beautifully designed traditional country boat to Paris from Cox’s Bazaar.
The Moon Boat exhibition was inaugurated by Bangladesh Ambassador to France, M Shahidul Islam.
The idea behind displaying the moon boat at this international nautical show is to show this unique boat to a larger audience and to raise awareness about the naval heritage of Bangladesh and the necessity to preserve it.
Due to the unique nature of this event and its cultural significance for Bangladesh, Bangladesh Embassy in Paris partnered with Watever by sponsoring a cocktail reception at the inaugural gathering by which the moon boat has been presented at the Nautical Show.
Watever is a French NGO founded by Yves Marre, also the founder of Friendship Bangladesh and Taratari Shipyard, and the French naval architect Marc Van Peteghem.
They developed the concept of floating ambulances in Bangladesh work with other organizations such as MSRS in Bangladesh and UNICEF.
A book entitled “Boats, a Treasure of Bangladesh” written and published in English by Yves Marre and Enayetullah Khan was also presented at the event.
The book documents the naval tradition of Bangladesh and the importance of boats to the Bangladeshi population as a means of transport and trade, and a toll for adaptation to floods.
A large number of French citizens as well as members of the Bangladeshi community in France attended the inaugural ceremony of the event held on 10 December 2014.
Renowned Artist Shahabuddin Ahmed, Mime Artist Parthopratim Majumder, NBR Chairman M Ghulam Hussain, former Navy Chief Rear Admiral MA Taher (Rtd), local businessman Kazi Enayet Ullah, social and political personalities including Benjeer Ahmed Selim, Md. Abul Kashem, Nazimuddin Ahmed and Embassy officials were present at the inaugural ceremony.
BDST: 1943 HRS, DEC 11, 2014
