Farid Ahammad Rony presents his photography book to François Hollande in Paris

Special Report
Culture Desk | Paris, France

Bangladeshi photographer Farid Ahammad Rony has marked another milestone in the international journey of his photography book, Images of Paris, presenting the publication to former French President François at a special event in Paris.

During the event, held at City University on 28 August, Rony met Hollande and discussed his photographic work on Paris, the concept behind the publication, and the role of photography and creative projects in fostering cultural exchange. The meeting provided the Bangladeshi photographer with an opportunity to introduce his work to one of France’s most prominent political figures and to share the story behind a project that seeks to portray Paris through photography, history and culture.

Farid Ahammad Rony had previously presented Images of Paris to former Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, who received the book during a meeting with the photographer. On 30 June, he also met Emmanuel Grégoire, the current mayor of Paris, for an exchange on the publication and its portrayal of the French capital. Their discussion touched on the book’s photographic approach, its cultural dimension and the potential of such creative initiatives to strengthen cultural connections between people from different countries. According to Rony, the mayor praised his work and expressed interest in recognising his contribution in the future.

Published in Bengali, English and French, Images of Paris combines photography with elements of history, literature, art and urban culture. The book documents some of Paris’s historic architecture, artistic heritage, diverse urban life and cultural landscape. Alongside the photographs, contextual material on history and culture offers readers an opportunity to explore the city beyond its familiar visual landmarks.

The project is particularly distinctive for presenting one of the world’s most photographed cities through the perspective of a Bangladeshi photographer. For Rony, the camera is not merely a tool for creating aesthetically appealing images. He views photography as a means of documenting history, preserving moments in time and recording the diversity of human life and culture.

Images of Paris has previously reached several prominent international figures. At the ChangeNOW Summit, held at the historic Grand Palais in Paris, Rony presented copies of the book to Prince Albert II of Monaco, former French Prime Minister Laurent Fabius, and Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications. The encounters gave him opportunities to introduce the artistic and cultural dimensions of the project and to highlight how photography can contribute to dialogue across cultures.

Farid Ahammad Rony has also had the opportunity to have his book presented to French President Emmanuel Macron. He later received an official response from the relevant presidential office, which he described as an important source of encouragement for his creative work.

Images of Paris is the result of years of research, planning and photographic work. Researchers, academics, cultural figures and supporters from both Bangladesh and France have also contributed to the development of the project. Beyond documenting a city, the book seeks to create a cultural connection between Bangladesh and France. By portraying Paris through the lens of a Bangladeshi photographer, the project brings together two cultural perspectives within a single visual narrative. Farid Ahammad Rony believes photography has the power to preserve not only places but also the character of an era. His broader body of work focuses on people, cultural diversity, social change and significant moments in contemporary life.

The presentation of Images of Paris to François Hollande, alongside its earlier journey to French and international figures, adds another chapter to that effort. It also offers a wider platform for a Bangladeshi photographer seeking to bring his country’s creative identity into international cultural conversations.