CHINTON, a bilingual literary magazine, launched in Dhaka

A new bilingual online literary magazine, CHINTON, has been launched in Dhaka with a focus on literary excellence and dialogue across languages and cultures.

The magazine publishes original and translated works in Bangla and English, including poetry, fiction, essays, memoirs, travelogue, interviews, reviews and visual arts.

The inaugural ceremony was held on Friday at the Conference Hall of Nascent Gardenia Hotel in Baridhara Diplomatic Zone, with Editor Tasneem Hossain presiding and Fakrul Alam, an academic, writer, translator and Professor Emeritus, attending, a media statement said.

In her welcome address, Tasneem introduced CHINTON as a platform aimed at connecting people through literature across geographical and linguistic boundaries. 

She said she hoped the magazine would become a meeting place for established and emerging writers from Bangladesh and around the world.

Takad Ahmed Chowdhury, associate professor and head of the Department of English at the University of Asia Pacific, delivered the keynote address, titled “Why Literature Still Matters in this Digital Era”.

He said technology connects devices while literature connects people, stressing its role in nurturing empathy, critical thinking, cultural understanding and human connection.

Prof Fakrul later officially unveiled the CHINTON website, marking the magazine’s formal launch.

The inaugural issue features 26 literary works, including poetry, flash fiction, short stories, literary essays, memoirs, travelogue and artwork. 

Contributors come from Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Siberia in Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam.

During the literary presentation, Bangladeshi contributors Shamsi Ara Huda, Faruq Moinuddin, Dilip Guha Thakurta, Razibul Hossain and Faridur Rahman read excerpts from their works.

International contributors Ada Rizzo,Shirleen Manzur, Nasser Alshaikhahmed and Vo Thi Nhu Mai also read from their writings, while Helen Pletts of the US and Ma Yongbo of China presented response poems.

The session was facilitated by Manzurul Islam Chowdhury, a founding member of CHINTON.

Prof Fakrul later presented Certificates of Appreciation to the founding authors present at the ceremony for their contributions to the inaugural issue.

The event brought together writers, academics, publishers, literary enthusiasts, readers and members of civil society, who welcomed the magazine’s focus on literary dialogue across national and linguistic boundaries.

The professor praised the initiative as a pioneering bilingual online literary magazine with the potential to create a space for literary and cultural exchange.

He expressed confidence that the editorial team would contribute to contemporary literature by connecting writers and readers across the world.

According to Manzurul Islam, CHINTON is “firmly” committed to publishing quality work while also welcoming emerging voices from around the globe.

The programme ended with a vote of thanks from founding member Syed Abu Zafar. 

It began at 4pm and ended at 6pm, with University of Asia Pacific assistant professor Subrina Islam serving as master of ceremonies.