ZCZC
BSS-15
EKUSHEY-BOOK-FAIR
Amar Ekushey Book Fair begins tomorrow
DHAKA, Jan 31, 2019 (BSS) – The month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair- 2018
will begin on Bangla Academy premises and at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital
tomorrow.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the traditional
book fair on the Bangla Academy premises tomorrow.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Amar Ekushey Book Fair
on the academy premises around 3 pm tomorrow,” Dr Jalal Ahmed, director of
Bangla Academy and member secretary of Ekushey Book Fair Committee, told a
press conference today.
Bangla Academy, the organiser of the book fair, arranged the press
conference at its office.
Dr Jalal said this year’s theme “Bijoy 1952-71: New Phase” will inspire
the new generation with the spirit of Liberation War.
Noting that necessary security measures have already been taken with
installation of more than 300 closed circuit television cameras in and around
the Bangla Academy complex, he said the law enforcers will be deployed in a
large number to ensure the foolproof security in the fair.
The book fair will remain open for all from 3 pm to 9 pm on working days
and 8:30 am to 9 pm on public holidays with a one-hour break for lunch and
offering prayers. It will continue till February 28.
The fair will be smoke-free. Booklovers can buy their desirable books on
25 percent commission from the fair.
A total of 770 stalls of publication houses under 24 pavilions will be
set up in the book fair covering an area of 3 lakh square feet. Apart from
this, there will be 155 stalls at Liton Magazine Chattar.
Bangla Academy will organise ‘Shishu Chattar’ this year where children
along with guardians can enjoy ‘Shishu Prahar’ (children time) during the
fair.
The authorities for the first time have launched the ‘logo’ of the fair,
created by architecture Enamul Kabir Nirjhor, with the theme of the 1952
Language Movement.
A mancha (stage) for holding publication ceremonies and programmes on
unveiling covers of the books has been set up at Suhrawardy Udyan, while
discussions and seminars will be held every day at the main mancha installed
on the Bangla Academy premises.
A separate gate will be set up for entrance of writers, litterateurs,
poets and senior personalities of different sectors, including civil society
members and dignitaries.
Two main entry gates have been erected at Teacher-Students’ Centre (TSC)
of Dhaka University and Doyel Chattar.
Besides, there will be three paths on the Bangla Academy premises, while
six entrance and exit routes at Suhrawardy Udyan.
Bangla Academy director general Habibullah Siraji will deliver the
welcome speech at the inaugural ceremony on the history of Bangla Academy and
the book fair and different aspects of the festival with Bangla Academy
president and national professor Anisuzzaman in the chair.
Indian poet Shankha Ghosh and Egyptian writer and researcher Mohsen-Al
Aresi will be present as special guests, while acting secretary of the
Ministry of Culture Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal will speak.
BSS/HA/SRH/MRI/1617 hrs