Ekushey Book Fair to open on Feb 20 as government cuts stall fees

Stall fees are reduced by 25 percent to ease pressure on publishers

The annual Amar Ekushey Book Fair will begin on Feb 20 after the 13th parliamentary election, with stall rents reduced by 25 percent, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has announced.

In a statement, the ministry said that the decision was taken following requests from publishers participating in the fair. Cultural Affairs Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki approved the reduction in stall fees, it added.

The Bangla Academy, which organises the fair, will implement the decision “as quickly as possible”, while the fair’s management committee will provide further details, according to the ministry.

Md Abul Bashar Firoz Sheikh, a director of the Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association, said on Monday that publishers had been struggling to bear the current stall fees.

“Because of Ramadan and the ongoing political instability, it has become extremely difficult for publishers to afford the existing costs,” he said.

“We requested that stall rents for the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 be reduced as much as possible, and that request has been accepted.”

Bangla Academy Director-General Prof Mohammad Azam said publishers had formally applied for a reduction, leading to the decision. He added that no decision had been taken to postpone the fair beyond Feb 20.

“There is no plan to delay the book fair. It will begin on Feb 20.”

The Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association had earlier called for the fair to be held after Eid-ul-Fitr. On Jan 19, 262 publishers submitted a letter to the association’s president requesting a rescheduling.

However, the Bangla Academy said the decision to begin the fair on Feb 20 had been taken at a meeting on Dec 17, following consultations with publisher representatives. Preparations for the event are continuing, it said.

More than 500 publishers and other organisations have already applied to take part, and organisers say at least 25 percent of preparations have been completed.

The timing of the fair has been affected by the 13th parliamentary election, which is due to take place on Feb 12, ahead of the start of Ramadan. The Bangla Academy had initially planned to hold the fair in December, but later suspended that decision following a proposal from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

After further discussions with publishers in November, the academy decided to hold the fair in February, shortly after the election. The final dates were confirmed after the Election Commission announced the election schedule in December.