We seem to have become victims of our own success. The response to Chobi Mela V has been overwhelming. However the very large number of high quality entries has made it a difficult selection process. This has been compounded by the fact that the National Museum, despite having no other booking marked on the dates we had officially requested, claim (unofficially) that they have bookings for other events. We could of course hold the festival without the National Museum, and with fewer exhibits, but given the fine entries we've received, we feel it would go against the spirit of Chobi Mela to be rejecting work that deserved to be seen.

We have therefore reluctantly taken the decision to shift the festival dates to the 29th January 2009 - 20th February 2009. This is a logistic nightmare for us and I am sure will upset the plans that many of you have made for visiting the festival. The good side of the story is that Chobi Mela V will be bigger, better and more diverse than any of our previous festivals. You should definitely plan to be here.

The uncertainty has also delayed the selection procedure, as we needed to know how much we could accommodate. The National Museum refuses to give us an answer one way or another. We suspect our outspoken criticism of the establishment might well be the real reason for this behaviour. Regardless, the show will go on. Book your seats early.

Shahidul Alam
Festival Director
Chobi Mela V "