Last Children’s Hour at Ekushey Book Fair fizzles out on a dull note

The absence of many favourite authors and the Sisimpur act, along with the low number of books, contribute to a subdued atmosphere

The last Friday of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair saw children flocking to the dedicated kids’ zone with their parents, filling the morning air with excitement.

However, the absence of Sisimpur this year made the concluding Children's Hour somewhat dull.

The fair opened its gates at 11am and the children’s hour running until 1pm.

After a month-long event, fatigue was evident on the faces of sales staff at the publishing houses’ stalls.

Samiha Anjum, an eighth-grader from Dhanmondi, visited the fair with her parents and took selfies with her mother.

However, she expressed disappointment over the absence of Sisimpur.

“Every year, I come to the book fair and buy some books. But this time, many of my favourite authors are not here. There are fewer books, and Sisimpur is missing. It doesn’t feel the same,” she told bdnews24.com.

Publishers attributed the absence of many writers to the country’s political situation.

Dewan Aziz, publisher of Pankhiraj, said, “The overall fair was disappointing this year. Sales were not as expected.”

The children’s zone was adorned more colourfully this year to attract young readers.

Visitors entering Suhrawardy Udyan through the entrance opposite Bangla Academy could see the gate marked “Children’s Zone” on the right.

Inside, children were running around with excitement.

This year, 74 publishers were allotted 120 stalls in the children’s zone, with a few more children’s book stalls scattered across the fairground.

However, sales staff at several children’s book stalls reported lower-than-expected sales.

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Kamal Mustafa, publisher of Dolon, told bdnews24.com: “We need to rethink the book fair for next year.

“Every year, the number of stalls increases, but quality control is lacking. This is reducing the overall standard of the fair. The event should focus on quality publishers.”

Some publishers were hesitant to invest due to uncertainty about the fair’s turnout following the July Uprising and the subsequent changes in the country’s situation.

Pankhiraj’s notable releases this year included Dewan Aziz’s Matir Moyna O Him Bataser Golpo and Chhoto Der Shera Jokes.

Mayurpankhi featured books like Chocolate-er Pahar by Tahmina Rahman, Pipra Bahini O Ghasforing by Hasan Hafiz, Notun Bondhu by Farzana Tanni, and Babir Gari Boom Boom by Razia Sultana.

Among the children’s book publishers present were Shobdoshilpo Prokashon, Jhingeful, Shishurajjo, Fuljhuri, Pankhiraj, Shishubela, Chironton Prokash, Shoishob Prokash, and Kakatuya, along with the Bangla Academy’s children’s book stall.