Amar Ekushey Book Fair to start on February 25, no rents for stalls: Cultural Minister

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair is set to start on February 25. Culture Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury has said that no rents will be required for setting up stalls at this year's fair.

This information was given in a notification signed by Dr. Md. Selim Reza, Member Secretary of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 Steering Committee, on Wednesday (February 18).

Although Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam had earlier announced that this year's book fair would be held from February 20, a new decision has been announced today, reversing that decision.

The notification signed by Selim Reza said that a meeting on the organization of the upcoming Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 was held at the Shahid Munir Chowdhury meeting room of Bangla Academy at 6 pm today, February 18.

Minister of Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury presided over the meeting. State Minister of Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayyam, Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Md. Mofidur Rahman and publisher representatives were present at the meeting.

Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam informed the meeting about the latest situation regarding the upcoming book fair.

Then, in view of the demands raised by various sections of the publishers, the following decisions were taken:

1. Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 will start from February 25 and continue till March 15, 2026.

2. The stall rent of the publishing houses participating in the book fair will be completely waived.

3. Publishers participating in the 2026 book fair who have not already taken stall allocation, will apply by 3 pm tomorrow (Thursday, February 19) and on that basis, their stalls will be allotted at 6 pm on the same day, February 19.