In a testament of how the power of art can transcend linguistic and cultural barriers, allowing the world to communicate and connect on a profoundly human level to ensure the nature of coexistence in society - the 10th Geoje International Art Festival is being held in Busan, South Korea, where Bangladeshi artists brought glory for their motherland.

11 Bangladeshi well-known artists and their artworks were selected for the 10th Geoje International Art Festival for the Haegeumgang Theme Museum. A total of 341 artists from 56 countries participated in the first-ever virtual jury process of artwork selection for the one-of-a-kind museum, where all artworks were selected and voted virtually and will be in the museum's permanent collection.

Out of 273 chosen artworks, only 18 works were shortlisted for the prestigious "Excellence Award" - and three Bangladeshi artists - Abu Kalam Shamsuddin, Azmeer Hossain and Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Atelier71 Artistic Director Sourav Chowdhury, were voted and received the honour for Bangladesh, from 56 countries.

Apart from the awardees, the other Bangladeshi renowned artists who participated in the art festival are Rokeya Sultana, Vinita Karim, Anukul Mojumder, Ratnashwar Sutradhar, Tahmina Hafiz Lisa, Mahadi Masud, Asma Akbar and Nazia Andaleeb Preema. Their artworks will be on display for the museum's permanent collection.

Nazia Andaleeb Preema is the distinguished juror and curator for Bangladesh who believes "Coexistence is the only way to exist" while Heidi Fosli is the jury president for the festival. Sharing her experience with UNB, Preema said: "The theme of the 10th Geoje International Art Festival was 'Language of Coexistence' - and I believe 'Coexistence is the only way to exist' - means that we need to collaborate to ensure our peaceful and meaningful existence in this world. This exhibition was a perfect example of that, where the artists did not compete but elevated themselves while getting to know each other, upholding their respective country's name with glory. It was a remarkable experience for us, the Bangladeshi artists - and we have learned a lot."

"As one of the 21 international jurors from 20 countries worldwide and the curator for our Bangladeshi artists, I got to observe closely how South Korea is creating a great example of coexistence for art, culture and technology," Preema continued. "We must keep in mind that we are now living in the era of AI - and South Korea is one of the leading countries in terms of advancing modern technology. This was the first-ever virtual jury process of artwork selection for a museum, and apart from their world-famous Korean hospitality, they really know how to honour art and artists, something that we can learn from them even better," Preema told UNB, adding that soft power like art is a very critical discourse to brand Bangladesh as a nation, as it deals with culture, identity and creative leadership.

The inauguration of the festival commenced on November 6th, and the award-winning artists from Bangladesh joined the prestigious gala and reunion of artists, curators, museum directors and galleries from all over the world. After returning from that ceremony, Sourav Chowdhury told UNB that it had been a tremendous experience altogether for many reasons.

"I have previously participated in several exhibitions at home and abroad, including a solo exhibition in Russia; however, this particular exhibition has been different," Sourav told UNB. "Many artists-curators representing various countries participated in the exhibition, and we made new friends. I always wanted to spread Bangladesh's name worldwide through my work, and it has been a great matter of pride and joy for me that my co-artists from Bangladesh have been awarded in this prestigious exhibition, and that too in a culturally significant place like South Korea."

He added, "This exhibition has also been a great networking ground for us, opening new windows to bring significant artistic and cultural exchange. Visiting their enriched museums and art galleries has been a motivational experience for us; I am so happy and proud of the achievement of my co-awardees and our respected curator Nazia Andaleed Preema, and I also want to convey my gratitude to Gallery Cosmos and Cosmos Atelier71 for always supporting me and our other young and popular Bangladeshi artists."

Since its opening in 2005, the Haegeumgang Theme Museum's theme has been widely covered with modern and contemporary living materials in Korea, European culture and history, maritime history, war history, and contemporary art. Currently, it is operated as a space where visitors can experience the past, present, history and art by selecting and focusing on the theme by dividing its characteristics into the exhibition hall of modern and contemporary Korean history and the Yugyeong Art Museum.

The Geoje International Art Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year under the theme 'Language of coexistence' - and it sheds the spotlight on this motto: "The climax of art is not a destination - but a journey."