Bangladeshi literary and cultural initiative Atopor Shobdayon has formally signed a memorandum of understanding with Germany-based international poetry platform Lyrikline.
The agreement paves the way for Bangladeshi poets and their selected works to reach a global readership through Lyrikline’s extensive multilingual platform, enabling audiences from diverse linguistic backgrounds to engage with contemporary Bangla poetry.
Founded in 1999, Lyrikline is regarded as one of the leading digital platforms dedicated to presenting contemporary poetry from around the world. Developed by Haus für Poesie in collaboration with an international network of partners, the platform currently features poetry in 95 languages and operates across 50 countries. Its vast archive includes works from nearly 1,768 poets, making it a significant repository of global poetic voices.
Under the newly signed agreement, poems by several prominent Bangladeshi poets have already been published on the platform. Among them are poet and organiser Nishat Jahan Rana, poet Pias Majid, and poet-artist Shibu Kumar Shil. More poets are expected to be featured in phases, as Atopor Shobdayon continues its curatorial efforts to bring representative Bangladeshi voices to an international audience.
Speaking about the initiative, poet Jubair Shawan, Chief Visionary Officer of Atopor Shobdayon, said the collaboration was formally launched on March 21, marking World Poetry Day. He described the timing as deeply significant, noting that the initiative reflects a meaningful step towards placing Bangla language and literature within a global context.
“We believe this platform will serve as a bridge to present Bangla poetry to the world,” he said. “Through this initiative, it will be possible to take important works by leading Bangladeshi poets to an international readership, while poetry enthusiasts from different linguistic backgrounds will gain access to Bangladeshi literature. It will also open up opportunities for collaborative cultural exchanges with different countries.”
As part of the process, Bangla poems will initially be translated into English and German, before being made available in other languages supported by the platform. In addition to written texts, the platform will also host audio recordings of poets reading their own works, alongside recorded video content, offering a more immersive literary experience for global audiences.
The collaboration signals a strategic move to amplify Bangladeshi poetry in the international literary landscape, positioning it within a broader network of cross-cultural dialogue and artistic exchange.
