The three-day 8th Kibria International Print Fair started on Friday at the Zainul Gallery of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University (DU).

Education Minister Dipu Moni inaugurated the fair as the chief guest. Convener of Kibria Prints Studio, Sayed Abul Barq Alvi, presided over the inaugural session. Professor Nisar Hossain, Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts, delivered the welcome speech.

Eminent artist Shahid Kabir was conferred with a lifetime achievement award. Five young printmakers received awards for their works. The artists are Nasrin Jahan Anika, Sourav Chowdhury, Rafiqul Islam, Mashiur Rahman and Faria Rahman.

Thanking the organisers, Dipu Moni said: "It's a great opportunity for us to represent our country's printmaking sector among the world through this fair. If we can patronise this sector properly, it will bring more opportunities for all."

This year, 20 institutions and organisations are taking part in the fair.

The participating institutions are - Graphic Art Department, Kala Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan, India; Graphics Printmaking Department, Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India; Department of Printmaking, Faculty of Fine Art, University of Dhaka; Department of Printmaking, Institute of Fine Arts, University of Chittagong; Painting-Oriental-Printmaking Department, Faculty of Fine Arts, Rajshahi University; Printmaking Discipline, School of Fine Arts, University of Khulna; Department of Fine Arts, Jatiya Kabi Kazi nazrul Islam University, Trishal; Department of Fine Arts, Jagannath University and Printmaking Studio, Department of Fine Arts, University of Development Alternative (UODA).

Participants organisations are - Multiple Encounter, Delhi, India; Safiuddin Bengal Printmaking Studio, Dhaka; Shunno Art Space, Dhaka; Atelier '71, Dhaka; Cosmos Atelier '71; Dhaka; Bangladesh Printmakers Association, Dhaka; Flame Arts Open Studio, Dhaka; Studio 48, Dhaka; Karkhana Art Space, Dhaka; Bornika Print Studio, Dhaka and Kibria Printmaking Studio, Kala Kendra, Dhaka.