Book lovers are turning up in an increasing number at the Book Fair as it hit the fourth day on Wednesday. However, most of them were seen browsing titles and showing curiosity about new arrivals. Enjoying respite from daily toil at workplaces or educational institutions, couples, teenagers and groups of young people are seen whiling away their time at the fair.
Talking to Bangladesh Post, Mohiuddin Mahi, a student of Dhaka University’s Mass Communication and Journalism Department, visiting the fair with his three friends, said they were all from the same department. He said, ‘Our university life is going to end this month as we are appearing in our final semester exam within a few days. As we passed a lot of time together in last five years, we would definitely miss these golden days.’
All his three friends echoed with Mohiuddin. He also added that they already registered for their social media together from the book fair and tried to make as much beautiful memories as were possible to walk in the memory lane in upcoming days.
Asif Akram, a third year student of Dhaka University’s political science department who came to the fair along with his friend Israfil from philosophy department, said that they came to fair and exchanged book of acclaimed writer Ahmed Sofa’s Gabhi Bittanta as gifts.
Anwara begum, a sales executive, said only a few visitors were buying books although the ambience of the fair and the stall decoration attracted many. This year Bangla Academy has set the theme of the fair as “Birth Centenary of Bangabandhu” dedicated to the iconic leader, marking his birth centenary.
The authorities have allotted 179 units at the Bangla Academy ground to 126 organizations and 694 at the Suhrawardy Udyan to 434 organizations and a total of 34 pavilions have been allocated this year. The fair will remain open from 3pm to 9pm from Sundays to Thursdays; and from 11am to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. On February 21, the fair will remain open from 8am to 8pm.
Like previous year, stalls for the mainstream publishing houses have been built inside the Suhrawardy Udyan while government organisations and the Bangla Academy stalls have been placed within the Bangla Academy compound. Holding of the fair on the Bangla Academy premises began informally in 1972, only to be institutionalised in 1978. The fair was then named Amar Ekushey Granthamela and subsequently a guideline for it was formulated in 1984.
The month-long book fair is arranged every year in February commemorating the sacrifices of people who laid down their lives on February 21, 1952 for establishing Bangla as mother tongue.
