Amar Ekushey Book Fair set to begins today

The month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair is set to kick off today (February 26), following the resolution of uncertainties surrounding this year’s arrangements.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman set to inaugurate the country's one of the most traditional event at 2:00pm.

Organised by the Bangla Academy, this year’s fair brings together 549 publishing houses. Of them, 81 stalls have been allocated at the Bangla Academy premises and 468 at Suhrawardy Udyan, with a total of 1,018 units. Last year, 708 publishers participated with 1,084 units.

A Little Magazine Corner has been set up near the open stage at Suhrawardy Udyan, accommodating 87 stalls. The Children’s Corner features 63 institutions with 107 units.

Daily seminars and cultural programmes will be held at the main stage, while special arrangements have been made for children’s events on weekends and for Tarawih prayers during Ramadan.

Books will be sold at a 25 percent commission by Bangla Academy and participating publishers, while government institutions will follow their own commission structures. Separate stalls have been arranged in both sections for Bangla Academy publications.

Security has been tightened across the venue, with law enforcement agencies, including police, RAB and intelligence units, deployed. Around 300 CCTV cameras have been installed, and special measures have been taken to ensure the safety of women and children.

The fair will continue until March 15. On working days, it will remain open from 2:00pm to 9:00pm, and from 11:00am to 9:00pm on holidays.

Organisers have also announced an initiative to make this year’s event environmentally friendly under a “Zero Waste” campaign, encouraging the use of reusable materials throughout the fairgrounds.