DHAKA, Feb 01, 2019 (BSS) – Curtain of the month-long Amar Ekushey Book
Fair will be raised today as Bangla Academy is set to stage its annual
extravaganza on its premises and at Suhrawardy Udyan.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the traditional month-long
Amar Ekushey Book Fair on the Bangla Academy premises at 3 pm.
“This year’s theme ‘Bijoy 1952-71: New Phase’ will inspire the new
generation with the spirit of Liberation War,” Dr Jalal Ahmed, director of
Bangla Academy and member secretary of Ekushey Book Fair Committee, told a
press conference at Bangla Academy on Thursday.
Necessary security arrangements have already been completed with the
installation of more than 300 closed circuit television cameras in and around
the Bangla Academy complex, he said, adding the law enforcers will be
deployed in a large number to ensure foolproof security.
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 government holidays with a one-hour break for lunch and
offering prayers. It will continue till February 28.
The fair will be free from polythene and smoke, and booklovers can buy
their desirable books at 25 percent commission.
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 Little Magazine Chattar.
Bangla Academy organises ‘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 installed at Suhrawardy Udyan, while
discussions and seminars will be held every day on the main mancha erected 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 in Suhrawardy
Udyan.
Director General of Bangla Academy Habibullah Siraji will deliver the
welcome address 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 address the greeting speech.
Generally, booklovers, authors, publishers and the people of different
professions wait for the book fair.
Thousands of visitors of all are expected to be seen at the Amar Ekushey
Granthamela this year that will be held on the premises of Bangla Academy and
Suhrawardy Udyan.