Amar Ekushey Book Fair to begin on Feb 20

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 is set to begin on February 20, in line with the previously announced schedule. While the decision to hold the fair after the 13th parliamentary election remains unchanged, the authorities have taken a historic step by reducing stall rents by 25 percent in response to long-standing demands from publishers.

In a message, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs said the rent reduction was approved under special instructions from adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, considering the current political situation and the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. The decision was finalised at an important meeting on Tuesday, January 27, attended by the cultural affairs adviser, the ministry secretary and the director general of Bangla Academy.

Md Abul Bashar Firoz Sheikh, director of the Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association, told the media that due to the prevailing instability and economic strain, it had become extremely difficult for publishers to pay the previously fixed high rents. He said the ministry positively responded to the association’s request to reduce stall rents as much as possible.

Bangla Academy director general Professor Mohammad Azam also confirmed the decision, saying the move was taken to safeguard the interests of publishers. He added that detailed procedures regarding the rent reduction would be announced soon through an official press release.

Although a section of 262 publishers demanded that the book fair be held after Eid, Bangla Academy rejected the proposal. Professor Azam clarified that there has been no decision to postpone the fair and that the Amar Ekushey Book Fair will begin on February 20 as scheduled. Earlier, there was a plan to bring the fair forward to December in view of the parliamentary election, but it was shelved following objections from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

After the Election Commission announced February 12 as the polling date, all stakeholders agreed to fix February 20 as the opening day of the fair. Preparations are currently in full swing at Suhrawardy Udyan and the Bangla Academy premises, with more than 500 publishing houses having already applied to participate.

According to organisers, at least 25 percent of the preparatory work has been completed so far, and construction of stalls is expected to be finished within the stipulated timeframe. While publishers remain divided over the fair’s duration, most have expressed relief over the decision to reduce stall rents.