Holiday-crowds pour in book fair

Amar Ekushey Book Fair passed on the ninth day on Friday. Crowds of people have increased on the weekends. Compared to other days, the fairgrounds have seen a huge presence of visitors on holidays.

Although there is no ‘Shishu Prahar’, gathering of visitors was quite noticeable. On Friday morning, the fair grounds were visited and it was seen that there were not many people. However, in the afternoon, the image of people in the premises of Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan is completely different than in the morning.

The owners of the stalls said that usually the number of people was less in the morning but it increases in the afternoon.

Due to the pandemic this year, children are not getting the pleasure of playing with Halum, Tuktuki-Ikri. As a result, there is no crowd of child visitors.

It is seen that most of the people are trying to wear masks and follow the hygiene rules. On the other hand, indifference can be noticed among many. They enter the fair premises wearing masks but take off the masks.

A young girl Tasnuva Tamara came to the book fair with her parents from Dhanmondi in the capital. She was in a bad mood as there was no ‘Shushu Prahar’ at the fair. She has never been to a book fair before and is having a very boring time at home in Corona.

She said Bangladesh news that she saw Halum, Tuktuki-Ikri on TV last year. “Everyone is so happy but I didn't get it this time. But when Corona will be finished, I will play with them next year. I bought a children's book and will buy a few more.”

Officials of Sisimpur Publishing said that due to the pandemic, Bangla Academy authorities did not allow ‘Shishu Prahar’ this time. So it was not organised.

Tanjil Hasan, sales representative of Ghasful Prakashan, said, “People are more anxious today than ever before. Although there were fewer visitors at the beginning of the fair, the number of readers is increasing day by day. Sales are also increasing.”

Islam Bhuiyan, sales representative of Tamralipi Publishing, said, “readers are coming with enthusiasm. Everyone is coming to the fair following the hygiene rules.”

At 8 am on Friday, Bangla Academy paid homage to the memory of the martyrs of the Great Liberation War by laying a wreath at Suhrawardy Udyan.

At 4 pm, a discussion programme titled “Golden Jubilee of Independence: 50 Years of Adventure of Independent Bangladesh” was held on the main stage of the book fair. Habibullah Siraj, Director General of Bangla Academy delivered the welcome address. Mofidul Haque presented the essay. Shahriar Kabir and Mohammad Hannan participated in the discussion. Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan presided over the function.

Chanchal Ashraf, Hamim Kamal, Chowdhury Shahid Quader discussed their books in the program ‘Lekhak Balchi’.

Today’s event

Today, Amar Ekushey Book Fair will run from 11 am to 9 pm. A discussion programme titled 'Golden Jubilee of Independence: Principles of the Constitution of Bangladesh' will be held on the main stage of the book fair at 4 pm. Jalal Firoz will present the article. Ashfaq Hossain and Sabbir Ahmed will participate in the discussion. Md. Moinul Kabir will preside over the programme.