Book Fair records estimated Tk17cr in sales, new publications decline

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair, held over 18 days this year, saw an estimated Tk 17 crore in book sales, though both participation and new publications declined compared to previous years.

According to the fair’s organising committee, 269 publishing houses sold nearly Tk 8 crore worth of books in the first 17 days. Extrapolating sales across all 570 publishing participants, total revenue could reach around Tk 17 crore. A total of 584 organisations participated, including 14 media and health service institutions and 570 publishers. Bengali Academy alone sold books worth Tk 17.46 lakh. All books were sold at a 25 per cent commission.

The fair’s information center recorded 1,771 new books submitted during the 17 days, with 252 book covers unveiled. The actual number of new titles may be higher as not all publications were submitted.

The fair’s closing ceremony was held on Sunday at the main stage, where committee secretary Selim Reza read the report.

Bengali Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam delivered the welcome address, and the ceremony was chaired by Bengali Academy President Professor Abul Kasem Fazlul Haq.

Culture Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury attended as chief guest, with Culture Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman giving a greeting speech.

This year’s fair, themed “Multidimensional Bangladesh,” started on February 26, delayed due to the national parliamentary elections and Ramadan. In comparison, last year’s month-long fair featured 721 participants, including 703 publishers, and reported nearly Tk 40 crore in total sales after including all organisations.

In 2024, sales reached about Tk 60 crore, and in 2023 around Tk 47 crore.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the fair, during which eight Bengali Academy Literary Award recipients were honored.

The closing ceremony also featured the presentation of the newly introduced “Gunijon Smriti Award.”