DHAKA, March 17, 2021 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate
the month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2021 on Bangla Academy premises and at
Suhrawardy Udyan virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban at 3pm
tomorrow.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the book fair on
March 18 at 3 pm virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban,” Dr Jalal
Ahmed, director of Bangla Academy and member secretary of Ekushey Book Fair
Committee, told a press conference on Tuesday.
At the inaugural function, the Prime Minister will unveil the book ‘New
China-1952’, the English version of ‘Amar Dekha Naya Chin’ written by Father
of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Besides, the premier will also hand over the prizes among the recipients
of Bangla Academy Literary Award-2020.
Bangla Academy President Prof Shamsuzzaman Khan will preside over the
inaugural function while Bangla Academy director general Habibullah Siraji
will deliver the welcome speech at the function.
Though the month-long fair is usually held in February commemorating the
1952 Language Movement, this year the fair has been delayed in the wake of
the coronavirus pandemic.
However, the 28-day long book fair, which is supposed to be continued till
April 14, can be shut down anytime, if the pandemic situation gets worse,
said State Minister for Culture Affairs KM Khalid at the press conference.
Birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
and golden jubilee of independence has been set up as the main theme of Amar
Ekushey Granthamela 2021.
For the first time, there will be an entry-point and parking arrangement
beside Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) along with other three
entry points at the Suhrawardy Udyan.
Besides, emergency shelter centers have been set up on Bangla Academy and
Suhrawardy Udyan premises adjacent to the entry points considering the
possible rain and storm during the 28-day long fair.
The visitors have to strictly maintain the health guidelines for entering
the fair premises while there will be arrangement for temperature test, hand
washing and sanitizing in fair ground.
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.
This year, the land earmarked for the fair has been expanded to 15,00,000
square ft which was 8,00,000 square ft in 2020. A total of 834 units have
been allocated to 540 organizations while it was 873 units to 560
organizations in the last year.
The authorities have allotted 154 units at the Bangla Academy ground to 107
organizations, and 680 units at the Suhrawardy Udyan to 433 organizations.
Moreover, a total of 34 pavilions have been allocated this year.
Apart from this, there will be 140 stalls at Little Magazine Chattar which
was 155 in 2020.
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 foolproof security in the fair.
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.
Besides, there will be three gates to enter the Bangla Academy premises and
six entrance and exit points at Suhrawardy Udyan.