Ekushey Book Fair to open Feb 20, 60% preparations completed

Despite some publishers’ requests, issues such as heat and rain make it difficult to reschedule the fair to after Eid

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair will start on Feb 20. Bangla Academy, the fair’s organiser, says 60 percent of preparation has been completed.

The latest development on the preparations came at a press conference on Thursday.

In a written statement, the book fair management committee’s Member Secretary Selim Reza said: “This time, 527 organisations from among those that took part last year and 53 new organisations have applied for stalls.

“Stalls have already been allocated to the 527 organisations from the previous year and 24 new organisations."

It was also reported that more than 100 government and private organisations have applied for stall allocations to participate in the fair.

Although a section of publishers has demanded that the book fair be organised after Eid, it was reported that no decision had been taken to change the date.

The written statement said, "As the work of organising the book fair is nearly 60 percent complete, some respected publishers have requested the government to organise the book fair after Eid.

“We have heard the publishers' remarks and responded with reasons why it is difficult to organise a book fair after Eid."

"It will then enter the month of April. It is severely hot in April. The dust issue worsens. There is a high likelihood of rain and nor’wester storms. Organising a month-long book fair at this time is not realistic."

Publishers who expressed their disagreement with the fair timing were urged to still participate in the book fair despite the challenges.

During the press conference, Bangla Academy Director General Prof Mohammad Azam said: “In view of the demands of the publishers, the stall rent has been reduced by 25 percent compared with last year.

“However, the overall cost of organising the book fair has increased significantly.”

Member Secretary Selim said, "For a long time, as part of the Ekushey (Feb 21) celebrations, Bangla Academy, in collaboration with publishers and other partners, has been organising the month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair and programmes in memory of the language martyrs.”

"This month-long book fair and programmes are now an essential part of our cultural heritage. But, due to unavoidable circumstances, it was not possible to start the book fair on the 1st of February this year as we did in other years. The book fair is starting from the 20th of February."

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 management committee has already been formed and several meetings of the committee have been held, he said.

Arrangements related to the book fair are being completed according to expectations. The event management company for the book fair has also been selected.

The Suhrawardy Udyan has been allocated as a venue by the government. Stall construction activities are under way. The discussion and cultural activities of the book fair have been finalised and letters have been sent to potential discussants and essayists.