The Department of English at American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)  in collaboration with the TESOL Society of Bangladesh have successfully organized a symposium to celebrates Shakespeare's Birthday on 23 April 2026. titled "Shakespeare Relevance and Recurrence" , bringing together students, faculties, and literary enthusiasts to revisit the enduring significance and recurring relevance of William Shakespeare in contemporary literature, culture, and theatre.

The symposium was inaugurated by Md. Hamidul Haque, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of English at AIUB and President of the TESOL Society of Bangladesh. Prof. Dr. Tazul Islam, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at AIUB, presided over the program.

Structured in two segments—academic discussions and literary performances—the symposium provided a platform for both critical inquiry and creative expression. The academic segment featured a panel of distinguished speakers who offered diverse perspectives on Shakespeare’s continuing relevance.

Delivering the keynote address, Mashrur Shahid Hossain, Professor of English at Jahangirnagar University, presented a compelling analysis of Shakespeare’s universal presence across cultures and “Englishes.” His talk encouraged the audience to reconsider Shakespeare not merely as a historical literary figure, but as a living voice that continues to shape language, identity and artistic expression worldwide.

He was joined by Abdus Selim, a noted Bangladeshi translator, academic, and theatre advocate. Drawing on his extensive experience in translating and staging Shakespearean works, Selim discussed how Shakespeare remains deeply embedded in academic and cultural discourse. He emphasized on the adaptability of Shakespeare’s themes to local contexts, particularly in theatre, drawing examples from around the world.

Adding a contemporary dimension to the discussion, Shihab Saqib, Assistant Professor at AIUB, explored the relevance of reading Shakespeare in the postmodern age dominated by artificial intelligence and deepfake technologies. He raised thought-provoking questions about authenticity and interpretation in an era where texts and identities can be digitally manipulated.

The symposium concluded with literary performances that brought Shakespeare’s works to life, reinforcing the central theme of recurrence—not just in scholarship, but in performance and popular imagination. By blending academic rigor with creative engagement, the event underscored Shakespeare’s lasting significance and demonstrated how his works continue to resonate in new and evolving contexts.