Bangla daily Prothom Alo launched an eight-day photo exhibition titled "July Uprising" yesterday to honour the courage and sacrifices of students and the public during the July uprising.

The exhibition was inaugurated at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy by Syeda Rizwana Hasan, environmental adviser; Sharmeen S Murshid, adviser to the ministries of social welfare and women and children's affairs; and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke.

The exhibition highlights the July uprising and Prothom Alo's journalism during the movement. It features photographs by the newspaper's photojournalists, significant news reports from print and online platforms, investigative video reports, artworks, special supplements, and various documentary materials related to the uprising.

A dedicated section showcases personal items belonging to the martyrs of the uprising, including clothes, books, sports equipment, and other belongings of Abu Sayed, Mir Mahfuzur Rahman Mugdha, Mahmudur Rahman Saikat, Naima Sultana, Shafiq Uddin Ahmed Ahnaf, and child martyr Jabir Ibrahim.

Additionally, the exhibition includes materials used by government forces to suppress the uprising, such as bullet casings, pellet cartridges, grenade pins, and tear gas canisters.

Speaking at the inauguration, Rizwana said such an exhibition was crucial in preserving the evidence of the uprising in a country where history is often distorted. This exhibition ensures the events of the movement are accurately remembered.

Sharmeen S Murshid suggested that similar initiatives should be replicated and called for the creation of a permanent space for the exhibition. "We must consider transforming this temporary exhibition into a permanent institution, such as a museum or archive," she said.

She emphasised the importance of recognising the women who participated in the uprising, urging that they not be forgotten, as female fighters in 1971 often were.

Sarah Cooke described the exhibition as a powerful, emotional, and moving record of last year's events.

The exhibition, curated by artist Anisuzzaman Shohel, will remain open until January 31.

On January 26, a book launch and discussion featuring four books on the mass uprising will be held.

Another discussion with the families of the martyrs will take place the following day. A special video on the August 5 massacre in Savar will premiere on January 29.