PM opens Ekushey Book Fair

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the immortal Ekushey Book Fair. The fair was formally inaugurated at the Bangla Academy premises in the capital on Thursday (February 26).

At the beginning of the program, artists of 'Sursaptak' performed the national anthem in a collective voice. After the national anthem, readings were made from holy scriptures.

His wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman were present at the program.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Education Minister Dr. ANM Ehsanul Haque Milan, Bangla Academy President Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq, Director General Professor Azam, Prime Minister's Advisor Mirza Abbas, recently resigned Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Niaz Ahmed Khan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Mamun Ahmed, and several poets, artists and dignitaries were present at the program.

The book fair’s theme is 'Multidimensional Bangladesh'. The fair will continue until March 15. The fair premises will be open to visitors from 2pm to 9pm every day except holidays and from 11am to 9pm on holidays. However, entry will be closed after 8:30pm.

A total of 549 publications are participating in this year's fair. Of these, 81 will be in the Bangla Academy premises and 468 in the Suhrawardy Udyan section. A total of 1,018 units have been allocated.

Of these, 87 Little Magazine stalls are in the Little Magazine square in the tree-lined area adjacent to the open stage of the garden.

63 institutions in the children's square. Thematic seminars will be held on the main stage at 3pm every day and cultural programs at 4pm. And every Friday and Saturday, there will be a 'Shishu Prahar' from 11am to 1pm.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has taken comprehensive security measures to avoid any untoward situation surrounding the book fair.