Bangladesh
Ekushey Book Fair Prime Minister inaugurates Amar Ekushey Book Fair
Dhaka, February 2: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday inaugurated the month-long 'Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2023' at Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan premises in the capital. The theme of this year's book fair organized by Bangla Academy is 'Poro boi goro desh, Bangabandhu'r Bangladesh' (Read books, build country, Bangabandhu's Bangladesh).
In the event, the Prime Minister unveiled the covers of seven books published by Bangla Academy. Which includes - Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Rachnaboli edited by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-1, Jail-er Rojnamcha Text Analysis, Osomapto Atmajiboni Text Analysis and Amar Dekha Nayachin Text Analysis, President Abdul Hamid's Amar Jibon Niti, Amar Rajniti, and Jela Sahityo Mela 2022 (1st Volume).
Sheikh Rehana, the youngest daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and younger sister of the Prime Minister, was present at the event. Bangla Academy president Selina Hossain presided over the opening ceremony and Director General Mohammad Nurul Huda gave a welcome speech.
According to Bangla Academy sources, the book fair will run from 3 pm to 9 pm every day except holidays. However, visitors, buyers and readers will not be allowed to enter the fair premises after 8:30 pm. On public holidays, the fair will be open to all from 11 am to 9 pm with an hour break for lunch and prayers.
A total of 901 stalls have been allotted to 601 companies in this year's fair. The authorities have allocated 165 stalls to 112 institutions in Bangla Academy grounds and 736 stalls to 489 institutions in Suhrawardy Udyan. Moreover, a total of 38 pavilions have been allocated this year. Last year 774 stalls were allotted to 534 institutions. Besides, there will be 153 stalls in the Little Magazine area, which was 127 in 2022, 140 in 2021 and 155 in 2020. On the other hand, there will be strict security arrangements in and around the book fair venue to avoid any untoward incident and every area of the fair's 11 lakh square feet area will be covered by CCTV cameras.
Before this, the programme began with an ensemble performance of the National Anthem and Amar Ekushey's song 'Amar Bhai'er Rokte Rangano Ekushey February'. After that, everyone observed a minute of silence in memory of the immortal martyrs.
The Prime Minister visited various stalls after inaugurating the book fair after signing the inaugural memorandum.
