Ekushey book fair likely to be held before Ramadan

The authorities concerned have finalised a plan to arrange the month-long Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela of this year before the holy month of Ramadan, expected to begin from April 12.

“We have been planning to commence the fair from February 1, but it’s getting impossible. Now, we want to end the fair before Ramadan, to be started from April 12,” State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid said at a press conference at Bangla Academy after holding a meeting with publishers, reports BSS.

The state minister said a proposal will be sent to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposing ‘February 20’, ‘March 7’ and ‘March 17′ as a possible date to commence the book fair.

“Today we have discussed how we can organise the book fair in the fastest possible time,” KM Khalid said.

He informed that the fair will be arranged traditionally, not virtually.

Replying to a query of a journalist whether the fair will be starting from February 20 or not, the minister said, “We can start the fair on February 20, if the COVID-19 situation comes under control or vaccination is started by the time. Otherwise, it will not be possible to start the fair before March.”

Director General of Bangla Academy Habibullah Siraji said, “We are ready to start the fair on any three dates. However, we will be waiting for the approval from the prime minister as it now depends on her consent”.

“If the premier allows us, we will commence the book fair from February 20 with special management to hold the spirit of Amar Ekushe, though it will be a little bit difficult for us,” he added.

Earlier, Bangla Academy had announced to organise the fair virtually instead of traditional way considering the pandemic situation. However, some authors and publishers gave consent while some others disagreed with the decision.