Remembering the revolution through ‘36 Days of July’

Browsing a wall labelled, 'August 1 - August 8', I could not help but flinch. 

The reaction came from a photo taken on 4 August of hooligans, carrying a variety of weapons— I couldn't help but be reminded of the anger and fear the whole country lived in during those two months. 

But as your eyes move along that very wall, you will be met with photos of people celebrating on 5 August—a day that the youth have dubbed, '36th July'.

The exhibition, '36 Days of July: Saluting the bravehearts', is filled, wall to wall, with similar photographs, graffiti art, news coverage—and a full week of panel discussions documenting the July-August uprising. Organised by The Daily Star, the exhibition opened its doors at The Daily Star Centre on 1 December and will run till 7 December. 

A core focus of the exhibition was combining photography and information. The exhibition begins on the ground floor, with excerpts from The Daily Star's paper during the uprising covering the walls. 

As you move upstairs, you are met with walls labelled with dates, and under them, photographs documenting the events of those days, with descriptions of the context behind every photo. 

Shaveena Anam from The Daily Star says that the aim of the exhibition is to remind people what everyone fought for in the first place. 

"During the July-August period, more and more people became united, working towards one goal. But afterwards, everyone started chasing their agendas. What seemed like a hopeful moment suddenly devolved into noise and chaos," commented Shaveena. 

She continued, "We're hoping to amplify these voices and bring the focus back to what the core values of the movement were itself."

The exhibition does not solely depend on photographs of the uprising to tell the whole story, though. The entry to the second floor is surrounded by photos of the same graffiti that took over the walls during the uprising. 

Perhaps the most memorable part of the room was a section titled, 'Our Martyrs'— telling the story of those like Abu Sayed and Mir Mugdho who lost their lives in the uprising. 

To tell the truth for each photojournalist who took these photos, it meant that they had to face the brutality and bloodshed in the streets, head-on. Many of the photos remain as a reminder of the perseverance of journalists throughout the country as well.

"It was important for us to remember the work and effort that was put into the coverage," shared Shaveena. 

"While going through all the information we got to see how the journalists themselves went through so much trauma. Many journalists returned with wounds all across their body, but still, they kept going back out the next day to report the truth."

The exhibition did not let those who passed away during the uprising remain nameless, and brought their stories forward. One such story is that of Shaikh Ashabul Yamin, a 23-year-old fourth-year student of MIST who was seen being pushed down from an armoured riot vehicle. The highlight of the display is a picture of Yamin sitting cross-legged in a chair, a chilling reminder of the boy who met such a brutal ending.