Book Fair layout changed to make stalls more visible

The authorities of Amar Ekhushey Book Fair have changed the layout plan of the fair’s Suhrawardy Udyan portion this year to make the stalls more visible to the visitors and to comply with the ongoing metro rail development works.

The book fair was held on the premises of Bangla Academy, the implementing authority of the book fair, till 2014. From 2015, the fair was expanded to Suhrawardy Udyan located opposite to the academy.

Member Secretary of Amar Ekushey Book Fair Committee Dr KM Muzahidul Islam told The Business Post that to uphold the spirit of the fair, increasing the book stalls’ visibility was the first priority.

“And so, following demands raised by several booksellers and publishers the layout plan on the Suhrawardy Udyan has been designed in a way that one can see all the stalls after entering into the fair,” he said.

The ongoing construction work of MRT-6 line from Agargaon to Motijheel has also forced us to relocate the entrances of the book fair, replacing the main entrance to the gate of the Kali Mandir situated at the edge of the park,” he added.

For the first time the fair layout has been divided into four corners – Chittoranjan Saha Corner on Bangla Academy premises and Sheikh Russel Children’s Corner, Bangamata Sheikh Fojilatunnesa Mujib Corner (beside the lake of Swadhinota Chattar) and Bangabandhu Corner (at left of the main entrance gate) on Suhrawardy Udyan.

“We believe if a book lover finds his desired book stalls in an easier way, it will encourage him to buy more books,” he opined.

According to sources, some 112 institutions, mostly government offices, NGOs and a few book selling stalls are on the Bangla Academy premises while 736 stalls allotted to 489 institutions are on Suhrawardy Udyan premises.

Highest number of book published

The highest number of 121 new books was launched yesterday since the beginning of the fair. So far, a total of 424 books have been published in the ongoing book fair.

According to the book fair authorities, among the 121 new books, 10 were published last year between June and December.

The number of publications at the fair may reduce by 50 per cent this year compared to the last year since the prices of paper and books respectively witnessed a 100 per cent and 22 per cent increase, compared to the last year, according to Bangladesh Publishers and Booksellers Association (BAPUS).

Shamal Paul, convener of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair Standing Committee and also the Vice President of Bangladesh Publisher and Booksellers Association said, “As days go by more number of books will come and we hope that the books will be well received by the readers.”