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The Amar Ekushey Book Fair continues to attract bibliophiles in its second week but the sellers at the stalls are not happy with the sales as it remains much lesser compared with the crowd of visitors.
They are now hoping for Pahela Phalgun and Valentine’s Day, two occasions celebrated by youngsters which fall on February 14. They expect a huge crowd on the fairground and record sales on the day.
Md Monirul Hoque, the publisher of Ananya Prokashoni, expressed his optimism about high participation and significant sales on the day.
“A huge number of visitors will visit the fair on February 14. Those who are yet to visit the fair will turn up on the day. The sales will also gain momentum similarly,” he hoped.
The publishing houses expect romantic novels, poems and volumes of stories will remain in high demand a significant portion of the visitors will be couples.
AK Nasir Ahamed Selim, the publisher of Kakoli Prokashoni, said that they have already brought adequate copies of romantic novels and volumes of poems to meet the increased demand. There will crowd of young people and they prefer romantic books, he added.
On the other hand, some publishers are still apprehending lesser sales on Valentine’s Day prices of books increased for the impact of ongoing inflation. The high price is shortening the wish list of the buyers and people are buying less than they planned to buy, they added.
Compared to the previous years, the price of paper rose by 100 per cent in the market which forced to increase the price of books by 22 to 25 per cent, according to the Bangladesh Publishers and Booksellers Association.
ANM Mizanur Rahman Patoary, the publisher of Mizan Publishers, said there will be a huge number of visitors to the fair on Valentine’s Day. Booklovers will rethink while purchasing as they are shrinking their expenses, he added.
The organisers have also taken adequate security measures on the fairground to avoid anything unexpected. The fair organising committee said that more than 300 CCTV cameras have been installed throughout the fairground. This year’s book fair has been declared free from polythene and smoking.
Md Gofur Hossain, member secretary of the Standing Committee on Creative Literature, said that the fair usually witnesses a huge crowd on February 14.
“Measures have been taken to ensure the security of the visitors. We hope that we will witness a good day on February 14 in terms of the crowd of visitors and sales,” he hoped.
The writers also expect Valentine’s Day will bring peace to the world defying all conflict and anger.
Poet and writer Audity Falguni Gayen said, “We do exist in the world for the blessing of love. The spirit of love should be shared with all. The young generation must love each other and avoid anger to make the world peaceful for the next generation.”
