The 38th edition of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair is starting on Tuesday (February 15). This information was given at a press conference on Sunday (February 14) about the book fair at Bangla Academy. Hygiene rules will be strictly followed, and anyone can’t enter the book fair without a mask. A vaccination certificate may also be required.
The fair is scheduled to run till February 28. However, the publishers are demanding to keep the fair running till March 18. However, whether the time will increase on 22 or 23 February will be known.
The press conference was attended by the state minister for Culture KM Khalid, Secretary Abul Mansur, Director General of Bangla Academy Poet Muhammad Nurul Huda, Secretary of Bangla Academy AHM Lokman, Member Secretary of Book Fair Organizing Committee Jalal Ahmed and others.
The book fair will be open from 2 pm to 9 pm every day except for February 15 to February 26. No one will be able to enter the fairgrounds again after 8:30 pm.
The book fair will be held on holidays from 11 am to 9 pm. The fair will start on February 21 at 8 am and continue till 9 pm.
At the press conference, the state minister for culture said that the time might be extended depending on the situation in Corona.
It was informed at the press conference that the book fair would be held on the premises of Bangla Academy and the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in an area of about 8 lakh square feet. There will be 35 pavilions at the fair.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the virtual Amar Ekushey Book Fair on February 15 at 3 pm. The Bangla Academy Literary Award will also be given on that day. This year, 15 talented writers in 11 categories are receiving this award.
A seminar will be held on the main stage of the book fair every day at 4 pm on the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and the golden jubilee of independence. There will be cultural programs every evening.
It was informed at the press conference that the central theme of this year’s book fair is ‘Birth Centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Golden Jubilee of Independence. To pay homage to Bangabandhu and convey the message of independence to all, Bangabandhu-book manuscripts have been used in various establishments. The implementation committee of Bangabandhu’s birth centenary has taken a pavilion.
