Ekushey Book Fair set to begin today

Amar Ekushey Book Fair, the biggest book fair in the country, is set to kick off today, Wednesday (February 1).

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2023 at 3:00pm in person after two years. She inaugurated the fair virtually in 2021 and 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq has warned of action against ‘provocative’ publications at the book fair at the Suhrawardy Udyan and Bangla Academy premises in Dhaka.

The Detective Branch of the police and the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit would monitor the fair and conduct cyber surveillance against ‘provocative’ books and statements involving the fair.

CCTV cameras had been installed at the fair venue. Besides, 1,500 police personnel will be deployed to ensure the overall security of the fair.

The book fair, which returned to its regular schedule after three years, will have 901 units allotted to 601 publishing houses and organisations. Among them, 165 units have been allotted to 112 publishing houses and organisations on the Bangla Academy premises, while 736 units have been allocated to 489 publishing houses and organisations at Suhrawardy Udyan.

In addition to that, there will be 38 pavilions at the month-long book fair.

Visitors have to go through archways to enter the venue at the Bangla Academy premises and Suhrawardy Udyan.

On holidays and special occasions, visitors may enter Suhrawardy Udyan through the IEB gate. There will be parking facilities inside the Udyan.

The book fair will remain open from 3:00pm to 9:00pm every day except holidays. The fair will open its doors to visitors at 11:00am on holidays and at 8:00am on February 21.

Visitors will not be allowed to enter the fair after 8:30pm.

Bangla Academy organises the annual book fair to commemorate the historic Language Movement of 1952 and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the movement.