Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 begins tomorrow

After overcoming various challenges, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 will begin tomorrow, Thursday, February 26. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the fair at 2 pm. During the inauguration ceremony, he will also present the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025.

This year's book fair theme is 'Multifaceted Bangladesh'. The fair will run from February 26 to March 15. Except for holidays, the fair will remain open daily from 2 pm to 9 pm. No new visitors will be allowed entry after 8:30 pm. On holidays, the fair will be open from 11 am to 9 pm.

A total of 549 publishing houses are participating in this year's fair—81 at the Bangla Academy premises and 468 at the Suhrawardy Udyan section.

The fair has a total of 1,018 units. The little magazine corner will be located under the trees adjacent to the open stage in Suhrawardy Udyan, where 87 little magazines have been allocated stalls.

Initiatives have been taken to make this year's book fair environment-friendly and a 'zero waste book fair'. The fair will remain free from polythene and smoking. Regular water sprinkling for dust control and mosquito control measures will be in place.

While the fair's layout remains similar to last year, some changes have been made. Considering the metro rail station location, the exit path has been shifted near the Temple Gate.

Entry and exit points will be at TSC, Doel Chattar, the MRT bracing plant and the Engineering Institution area.

Food stalls will be located adjacent to the Engineering Institution boundary. Tarabih prayer arrangements have been made in the Suhrawardy Udyan section for Ramadan.

'Children's Hour' will be held every Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 1 pm. The children's section will feature 63 organisations with 107 units.

Seminars will be held daily from 3 pm to 4 pm, followed by cultural programmes from 4 pm to 5 pm. Additionally, there will be drawing, recitation and music competitions for children and adolescents. New book unveiling ceremonies will take place in Suhrawardy Udyan.

Arches have been installed at the fair's entry and exit points. Bangladesh Police, RAB, Ansar and intelligence agencies will provide overall security. Adequate CCTV cameras and lighting arrangements have been made to keep the entire fair premises and surrounding areas under surveillance.

Although 350 publishing houses objected to holding the book fair during Ramadan, they are participating conditionally after discussions. Following their demands, there will be no pavilions at this year's fair.

Publishers received their stalls on February 23-24 after the decision on February 22. Many have indicated that stall decoration work may continue even on the fair's opening day.