Publishers still divided over start date for Amar Ekushey Book fair

A government announcement to start the book fair on Feb 21 is likely to come by Wednesday, sources say

Bangladesh Publishers and Book-Sellers Association President Rezaul Karim Badsha has said the Amar Ekushey Book Fair may start on Feb 21, which coincides with the International Mother Language Day.

He said the new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has shown his interest in organising the fair on the day.

A section of publishers has been opposing Bangla Academy, the organiser of the fair, saying the post-election atmosphere and Ramadan would act against organising a festive book fair, potentially inflicting financial losses on the publishers. They want the fair to begin after Eid-ul-Fitr.

The Bangla Academy had fixed Feb 20 to start the fair.

A senior official from the publishers association said Tarique on Monday said he would like to see the fair kick off on Feb 21 and that he would let the matter be officially known after swearing in.

“Preparations for the fair are ongoing. Traditionally, the head of government inaugurates the book fair. We are preparing for that to happen this time as well,” said Selim Reza, member secretary of the book fair management committee.

A summary on the book fair preparation has been sent to the cultural affairs ministry and a government decision is expected by Wednesday, several members of the book fair management committee said.

The publishers' association has urged all members to bridge their differences and participate to ensure the book fair is a success.

A notice issued by the association following a meeting with the Bangla Academy stated that, considering the difficulties faced by publishers, the association will arrange for a full waiver of stall rent and facilitate stall allocation for its members.

The University Press Limited’s Mahrukh Mohiuddin, also a member of the book fair management committee, told bdnews24.com that the 100 percent rent waiver would not help.

“It is no longer feasible for us to participate in the fair. There simply isn't enough time," he said.

Mahbub Rahman, owner of Adarsha, a publishing house, said the government may go ahead with the book fair ignoring their request.

“But we cannot realistically participate. We still request that the fair be organised after Eid-ul-Fitr,” he said.