Amar Ekushey Book Fair kicks off on Feb 25, stall rents waived

Authorities say stalls will be announced in the evening, three hours after the application deadline on Thursday

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair will start on Feb 25, cultural affairs minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury has announced.

The decision came following a meeting between the fair organiser Bangla Academy and publishers on Wednesday evening.

Nitai, accompanied by State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom, arrived at the academy in the evening, a day after they were sworn in following the BNP's formation of the government with an absolute majority.

The meeting began at 7pm.

After the publishers presented their demands, Nitai announced a "100 percent waiver" of stall rent for all participating publishing houses and urged everyone to join the fair.

Applications for stalls can be submitted until 3pm on Thursday, before the stalls are allocated through lottery later in the day.

The fair authorities clarified that those who have already applied do not need to submit new applications.