The ‘Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela 2021’ (Ekushey Book Fair) will not be organized by setting up stalls in fear of increasing coronavirus contraction. But Bangla Academy is taking preparation to organize the fair virtually. Though there will be virtual fair but it can be organized anytime at Bangla Academy premises or at the Suhrawardy Udyan by setting up stalls in any month when the coronavirus contraction comes under control- Bangla Academy Director General poet Habibullah Siraji confirmed the information to Rtv news.
He said, how the book fair will be organized virtually and from which month the fair could be organized by setting up stalls- in these regard the final decisions will be taken on Sunday or Monday.
On Thursday the Ekushey Book Fair organizing committee held meeting. Centering the fair every year there remains hectic activity among the writers, readers and publishers. But in this year due to coronavirus dull situation is remaining in publishing and stall allotment process. They are less interested in this year. Last year 560 institutions took stalls and pavilions allotment but this year so far 86 stalls and pavilions were allotted.
It is known that the last date of stall allotment was on December 7. But in this period 86 people submitted application seeking allotment of stalls and pavilions. Even two major associations in publishing sector ‘Bangladesh putak prokashak o bikreta samity’ and ‘Bangladesh gyan o srijanshil prokashak samity’ did not submit application seeking stall or pavilion allotment.
The Bangla Academy Director General said, the book fair is not going to be organized on first February due to coronavirus pandemic. But if we see the condition improves in January then we will organize the fair in February. But considering the situation we have suspended the date of inauguration through setting up stalls. From this date the fair will be organized virtually. The fair has not been suspended, considering the situation the fair will not be held in the stipulated timeframe.
AH
