Some changes of this year's Ekushey Book Fair

Amar Ekushey Book Fair, widely known as 'Ekushey Boi Mela', is one of the traditional fair of independent Bangladesh. Every year this fair is held throughout the month of February in the Bardhaman House premises of Bangla Academy and around the Bardhaman House.

Since 2014, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair has been expanded to Suhrawardy Udyan the opposite side of Bangla Academy. However, a part of the fair is also organized in Bangla Academy premises.

'In The 21st February 1952, some valiant sons of the then East Pakistan (present Bangladesh) sacrificed their lives to establish Bangla as the state language.

For remembering the sacrifice of valiant sons a book fair is organized by Bangla Academy and featured as the 'Amar Ekushey Boi Mela' held annually in the month of February

“Some changes have been brought in arranging stalls and pavilions and entry and exit points. Disciplinary and monitoring activities will be strengthened and digital boards will replace previous analogue information boards,” Member Secretary of Amar Ekushey Book Fair Committee Dr KM Muzahidul Islam told.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the month-long "Amar Ekushey Boi Mela 2023", the country's largest book fair, at 3pm on February 1, he added.

This year, the noted actor will once again be publishing a storybook, titled "Ronjit Godhuli". The book will be published under the Priyo Bangla Production house.

"I write for my passion and love for writing. I feel really good when readers receive my books with love. So, I hope they will also enjoy my new book as well," shared Abul Hayat.

National Award-winning actor and director, Tauquir Ahmed will be publishing a book on theatre plays, at the book fair.

Director Animesh Aich will also be publishing a novel this year, titled "Ek Botol Ondhokar" under the Kingbodonti publication house. Speaking about the moment, Animesh said, "I feel accomplished when I see people reading my book."

Film director Arun Chowdhuri has been writing books for quite some time, to better connect with readers. This year, he will be releasing a new book titled "Koyek Fota Jol" under Annanya publications.

Prominent actress Ashna Habib Bhabna became quite popular amongst readers for her books. So far, she has published a total of three novels at the Ekushey Boi Mela. This year, she will be launching her fourth novel, titled "Kajer Meye", under the Kingbodonti publication house.

Readers can also look forward to "Premtantrik Prithibir Shopno Theke Bicchuto Hoyar Age" by singer Sajia Sultana Putul, which will be hitting the stalls at this year's book fair.

Putul has been a regular writer at the fair for the last couple of years.

"I am very thankful to my readers for receiving my books so positively, over the past few years. I hope they won't be disappointed with my new book this year," said Putul.

Lux Superstar and actor Shanu will be publishing a poetry book and a novel titled, "Valobashar Epar Opar" and "Lipstick", respectively.

The poetry book will be published under Ajob publication, while the novel will be published under Annanya publication.

Seven pavilions with 182 stalls have been shifted from the Institution of Engineers area to the main venue of the fairground upon the requests of publishers concerning their business issues, KM Mujahidul Islam, Member secretary of Amar Ekushey Book Fair committee said.

Thus, the main entry point to the fair’s Suhrawardy Udyan area has also been changed and temple gate of the Suhrawardy Udyan, just opposite to the Bangla Academy, will be the main gate of entry.

The stalls of service-providing institutions like police, ansar and fire service have been set up in the spot near Institution of Engineers while two confined zones out of the main venue have also been dedicated for food courts and there will be no unorganised, open or street type food shops, he added.

‘Shishu Chattar (children’s yard)’ has also been shifted from its previous place to Sadhu Sangha area this year.

Like previous years, the main stage of the fair will be on the Bangla Academy premises while book unwrapping and ‘Lekhak Bolchi’ stages will be set up on Suhrawardy Udyan premises, said Mujahidul.

Another addition to this year’s book fair is ‘Digital Board’ which will be visible in the key points of the fairground containing different types of information, including newly published books to let the visitors get informed easily.

Taskforce will be on ‘hard-line’ in the book fair from the very first day to ensure that rules, regulations and instructions are being followed properly and thus, the publishers are asked to submit information each day to the Bangla Academy about each new book coming in the fairground.

Law and order will strictly be maintained, he said, adding that each individual or organisation will be brought under punishment or penalty if they violate or do not follow the instructions given by the fair authority. “Taskforce will also have the authority to seize any newly published book if a copy of the same is not submitted to the fair authority,” he added.

“We are trying hard to maintain the aesthetic beauty and security of this traditional fair,” he said, adding, “There is no security threat over the month-long book fair, according to the inter-ministerial meeting.”

Talking to BSS, Agami Prokashoni Publisher Osman Goni said, “This year, the overall arrangement including setting up of stalls, is being carried out orderly. The publishers eagerly wait for the fair as 90 per cent of new books are published on the occasion of the fair”.

Selling foreign and pirated books has been banned in the fair which is being appreciated by the publishers, he said, adding, “We hope that there will be no opportunity for anyone to do anything unusual or unethical as the taskforce will be playing an active role throughout the fair.”

There will be 470 stalls, including 367 general stalls, 69 stalls on children yard and 64 pavilions on the Suhrawardy Udyan while there will 103 general stalls and 147 pavilions on the Bangla Academy premises.

A total of 704 stalls except the pavilions will take part in this year's book fair.

Source: The daily Star and BSS