The month of language movement begins today, as the Bengali nation achieved the dignity of its mother tongue through the supreme sacrifices made by Salam, Shafiur, Barkat, Rafique, Jabbar and others during a massive movement on February 21, 1952.
In memories of the ‘Language Movement’ and in honor to the language heroes, the government, different political parties and various socio-cultural organisations have chalked out various programmes.
It is a matter of dignity for the nation as only the Bengalees have sacrificed their lives for establishing their mother tongue as state language.
The Language Day -- February 21 -- is also recognized as the International Mother Language Day.
The nation usually observes the month through various programmes. The first hours of February 1 will be observed through various programmes at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city.
As the month-long Amar Ekushey Book fair, which traditionally begins on the first day of February, is the main attraction of the month-long observance, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the fair as the chief guest on Bangla Academy premises in the capital city of Dhaka today.
Besides, the national poetry festival will also begin in the city today, which started in 1987 against the autocracy. Bangladesh Patho Natak Parishad will stage street drama at Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.
Sammilita Sangskritik Jote and Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation will orgainse cultural function from February 8 to February 21. Besides, Dhania Pathagar will organize word drawing for children.
Different social, political and cultural organizations will also observe the month through various programmes.
Meanwhile, the month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2024 begins today, (Thursday) February 1.
The bokk fair is held every year in memories of the great Bengali Language Movement that took place on February 21 in 1952 and the honour to the sacrifices of the language heroes.
The book fair is set to begin today at Bangla Academy and its adjacent Suhrawardy Udyan.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the country's largest book fair.
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the fair at 3 pm tomorrow," said Bangla Academy Director General poet Mohammad Nurul Huda.
The premier will also confer the Bangla Academy Literary Award-2023 on the winners along with unveiling the covers of some books including 'Collected Works of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Volume-2', published by Bangla Academy.
The theme of this year's book fair is "Paro Boi, Garo Desh: Bangabandhur Bangladesh (Read Book, build country: Bangabandhu's Bangladesh) and the Bangla Academy is organizing the fair.
A total of 937 stalls have been allocated to 635 organizations on the book fair. The authorities have allotted 173 stalls to 120 organizations on the Bangla Academy ground and 764 stalls to 515 organizations at the Suhrawardy Udyan.
A total of 37 pavilions have also been allocated this year.
Last year, a total of 901 stalls were allocated in favour of 601 organisations.
The entire work of the fair is being done by Bangla Academy alone to avoid any criticism, said Member Secretary of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair Committee Dr KM Muzahidul Islam, adding, "Almost 95 percent work will be done by tomorrow morning".
"In the previous years, some event management companies were involved in fair arrangements which faced some criticism last year", said Muzahidul.
Along with cultural programmes and month-long seminars, there will be arrangements for children and teenagers which include drawing, music and recitation competitions.
Stall allotment for old and newly enlisted publications was accomplished through a digitalised lottery system on January 23, said the organisers.
Like the previous years, the main stage of the fair will be on the Bangla Academy premises while book unwrapping and 'Lekhak Bolchi' stages will be set up on Suhrawardi Udyan premises, said Mujahidul.
'Shishu Chattar' has also been set up in Sadhu Shanga area beside the Ramna Kali Temple.
The book fair will remain open for all from 3 pm to 9 pm on working days and 11:00 am to 9 pm on public holidays with a one-hour break for lunch and prayers.
For notable contributions to various aspects of Bangla literature, this year, the Bangla Academy Literary Award-2023 will be given in 11 categories- poetry, fiction, essay/research, translation, drama, children's literature category, Liberation War, Bangabandhu, environment/science field, biography and folklore.
Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has taken all-out measures to ensure foolproof security of the fair, DMP said in a press release after a meeting with senior police officials.