A two-week series of student-led events marking the first anniversary of the historic July Movement concluded at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) on August 4, with a seminar and a cultural performance.

The closing programme featured Biplobi Protichhobi, a stage play by the IUB Theatre Club, followed by musical renditions of protest songs by the IUB Music Club. Hip-hop groups 1230 Classicks, Ragemode, Coldkraft, and Shezan performed rap songs that gained popularity during last year’s movement.

Earlier in the day, students from the Department of Media and Communication presented thesis papers at a seminar titled “Digital Dissent and its Imaginaries.”

From August 2-4, various exhibitions were held on campus. The Independent Photography Club hosted a show titled “Born in July”, displaying images captured during the 2024 protests by the club members. The Anthro-Socio Club organised a meme exhibition, “Control+Alter+Rebel: Meme Voices of July”, featuring popular memes and cartoons from the movement. The IUB Literature Club curated “July Memorial Exhibition through Literary Pieces,” and the Art Club arranged an on-spot painting competition titled “Reminiscing July.”

On July 31, student clubs Environmental Trailblazers and DEA-IUB conducted a clean-up drive in Bashundhara Residential Area. Chairman of the IUB Board of Trustees Didar A. Husain and Vice Chancellor Prof. M. Tamim joined students during the drive.

As part of the commemoration, a FIDE-rated chess tournament titled “July Memorial” was held on July 25, drawing 160 student participants from various institutions. On July 30, the final of the inter-departmental futsal tournament took place.

MSK/