Traditional Boi Mela is set to commence

As the traditional month-long Ekushey Boi Mela is set to commence on the 1st of February, the Bangla Academy has already done with the final minute preparations for the publishers and the visitors.

The publishers are anticipating a substantial increase in sales in this year’s book fair due to the Metro Rail opening in the city. They mentioned the two metro stations located near the fairgrounds would allow people from distant locations to attend the fair easily.

The publishers have been working diligently to prepare their stalls and pavilions since receiving their allotment on January 23, as per UNB reports.

The publishers were seen instructing their workers and carpenters to build the stalls according to their preferred design - some simple and traditional, others quite extravagant.

Ahmed Munir, the proprietor of Uchhas Publications, is confident this year's fair will be more crowded than ever, and the number of readers and visitors will increase. Many people will come from different parts of the country even, because the overall communication system is much better now. So, readers will be able to come to the fair very easily and in less time than before.

“We have also seen a remarkable increase in our readers’ society in the online platform. Which is a big hope for us. It indicates that the book fair will be more interactive than it has been before,” he added.

“Boi Mela is the fair of our life, the festival of life,” said  Mamun Khan, owner of Shireen Publishers.

“My expectation about this year's fair is that this year's book fair will be more crowded than any other book fair. The reason is that the book fair is a knowledge distribution fair, and the reader's interest is increasing,” he adds.

“Everyone including writers-readers, and publishers will be able to do their work beautifully and without any hesitation. Since the beginning of the fair, I had never seen any post-election book fair like this. The organising committee of the fair will responsibly do its duties.,” he said.

Demanding greater opportunities for independent and upcoming publishing houses, he said, “Little-mag and children section square has been shrunk to its current location. The number of women publishers is increasing day by day and it's time to think about allocating a specific place for women publishers.”