Book Fair adorned in colors of spring and love

From the early hours of Friday (February 14), the entrance of the book fair was lined-up with long queues. Most of the visitors were young men and women. The young men wore colorful panjabis while the young women wore sarees and colorful bangles. White and red flower garlands adorned their hair, while bouquets, flower headbands, and necklaces were in their hands. The youth walked hand in hand, engaged in conversation, and took pictures at various spots of the fair.

Some visitors came holding the hands of their guardians, while others joined the crowd of the book fair with friends.

Not only the book fair, but the entire Shahbagh area, from the TSC (Teacher-Student Center) to Dhaka University’s Fine Arts Faculty, Hakim Chattar, and Shaheed Minar area was decorated in a festive atmosphere. The city seemed to be radiating messages of peace, welfare, and harmony through nature. It felt like an entirely different experience—a picturesque scene. The book fair and its surroundings seemed to be filled with songs of love. In short, today, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair had a unique ambiance.

The first day of the Bengali spring (Falguni) coincided with Valentine’s Day, making the surroundings of the book fair even more picturesque. Nature also exuded a different sweet charm. Trees were in bloom with Shimul, Palash, and Krishnachura flowers, and the scent of mango blossoms filled the air. Perhaps this beauty inspired the great poet Rabindranath Tagore to write, “Aye tobe sohochori haate haate dhari dhari, nachibi ghiri ghiri, gahibi gaan!”

For the past few years, Valentine’s Day has added a new dimension to the celebration of spring. After the reform of the Bengali calendar, spring and Valentine’s Day now fall on the same day every year.

As in previous years, today, the flower markets around Shahbagh saw a unique crowd. It is said that the most flowers are sold on this day, a combination of spring and Valentine’s Day.

Many stepped outside today with the warmth of spring in their hearts. They wished to touch the horizon of love with their beloved. They spent the day with their special ones, talking and enjoying. Especially the younger generation chose this day to speak heartfelt words to their loved ones.

Alamgir Hossain, who came to the book fair with his family from Mohammadpur, said, "Today is truly a different kind of day, which is why we went out as a family. The joy of exploring the book fair is also unique today. The fair feels different today. Nature is wonderful, and the crowd here is huge."

A group of young men and women from Dhaka University entered the fair at around 4 p.m. When asked about the special day, student Riazul Islam shared, "We came to the book fair with friends on this special day. The girls are wearing sarees, and the boys wore panjabis. The book fair is crowded today, much more than usual. We’ve been here on other days, but today it’s completely different. There’s hardly any space to move, and the young men and women are walking around in colorful panjabis and sarees, with flowers in their hair."

Tinni, a staff member at the Shomoy Publications stall, expressed, "I really feel happy today. It’s beyond words. Today is Falgun, and everyone is dressed beautifully, with flowers in their hands. It really feels different today."

Nadia, a staff member at the Bangla Publications stall, said, "From morning, we have been seeing couples at the book fair. Some are wearing yellow sarees, while others are celebrating Valentine’s Day. It’s quite lively today. It’s a wonderful atmosphere, and love truly adds to the beauty of it. The combination of both creates a visually pleasing experience."

As usual, the Fine Arts Faculty premises at Dhaka University was the center of spring celebrations in the capital. The area was filled with yellow hues and vibrant dances and songs. The National Spring Festival Committee started the event at 7:15 a.m. The festival began with instrumental music and performances by Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay. By 11:30 a.m., the event concluded with songs, poetry, and traditional dances. In previous years, the festival lasted until 9 p.m., but due to the holy Shab-e-Barat, the celebrations were shorter this year.

As in previous years, the Boshonto Utshab was also held at Bahadur Shah Park in Old Dhaka and at the field adjacent to the lake in Uttara’s Diabari.

Additionally, 250 new books were launched today. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the book fair hosted the children's hour. A recitation competition for children and teenagers was held, and the final round of the Amar Ekushey Children's Recitation Competition took place at 10 a.m. on the main stage of the book fair. The judging panel included recitation artists Nasim Ahmed, Ananya Laboni Putul, and Professor Dr. Tariq Manjur.

Discussion Event At 4 p.m., a discussion titled "The Interested Youth of Ahmed Sofa" was held at the main stage of the book fair. The paper was presented by Tahmidal Jami, with Nurul Anwar and Sazzad Sharif participating in the discussion, and the session was chaired by Salimullah Khan.

The presenter said, "Ahmed Sofa was both a thinker and an activist. His curiosity and interests were intellectual, political, and diverse. He believed that the engagement of political aspirations and desires in historical events was crucial. He repeatedly addressed how individuals or groups from different classes might establish or invest their desires in specific political organizations. Sofa recognized emotion as a vital element in social transformation, which was both humanistic and reformative, as well as democratic in nature."

In his closing remarks, Salimullah Khan stated, "Ahmed Sofa observed various stages of Bangladesh's politics with great insight. He was an honest and courageous man. Not only did he write, but he also mentored many other writers."

The "Author's Speak" platform featured poet Asad Kajol discussing his new book.

During the cultural program, poets Jahangir Firoz, Chanchal Ashraf, Asad Kajol, Hijal Zobayer, Tasnova Tushin, Sunrit Sujon, Nazma Ahmed, and Mohammad Shafiq Ul Islam recited poetry. Performances were also given by recitation artists Ferdousi Begum, Ishita Jahan Arna, Shimul Parveen, and Abir Bangali.