PM opens Ekushey book fair

Desk Report: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair at Bangla Academy premises on Thursday afternoon.

Later, she visited different stalls in the fair.

At the same function, the premier also launched a two-day International Literature Conference 2018, and handed over prizes among the winners of 'Bangla Academy Sahitya Puroshkar 2017'.

The winners are Mohammad Sadik and Maruful Islam (poetry), Mamun Hossain (fiction), Professor Mahbubul Haque (essay), Professor Rafiqullah Khan (research), Aminur Rahman Bhuiyan (translation), Kamrul Hasan Bhuiyan and Surma Jahid (literature on Liberation War), Shakur Majid (travelogue), Maloy Bhoumik (drama), Moshtak Ahmed (science, technology and environment) and Jharna Dash Purokayshto (juvenile literature). Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor addressed the function as the special guest, while Bangla Academy Chairman and Emeritus Professor Anisuzzaman presided.

Cultural Affairs Secretary Ibrahim Hossain Khan, Director General of Bangla Academy Shamsuzzaman Khan and President of Bangladesh Pustok Prokashak and Bikreta Samity Arif Hossain Chhotan spoke.



United Kingdom writer and poet Ignis Mirose, Cameroonian writer Dr Joyce Ashuntantang, Egyptian Poet Ibrahim Elmasi and Swedish writer Arli Johnson also spoke on the occasion.

Cabinet members, PM's advisers, parliament members, political leaders, noted writers, researchers, poets and publishers and fellows of Bangla Academy joined the function.

At the outset of the function, a minute's silence was observed as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the Language Movement martyrs.

Except for public holidays, the fair will remain open from 3pm to 8pm through February.

On holidays, the fair will remain open from 11am to 8pm. Visiting hours on Feb 21 will be 8am to 8pm.

 

risingbd/Dhaka/February 1, 2018/A K Azad