Curtain falls on Ekushey Book Fair

This year’s Amar Ekushey Book Fair, one of the most significant Bengali events, ended on Tuesday amid much enthusiasm from booklovers, writers and publishers.

The fair was bustling with readers, writers and publishers throughout February, after being held under many health safety restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic in the past two years.

Books worth Tk 47 crore were sold at this year’s fair until February 26, down from last year’s Tk 52 crore, organiser Bangla Academy said citing participating publication houses. However, the academy does not think this amount is correct.

Sharing the overall outcome at the fair’s concluding ceremony, the organising committee’s Member Secretary Dr KM Mujahidul Islam said they are checking whether the Tk 47-crore amount was real or not.

He said the academy collected the sales data from every stall and pavilion. Some did not share their data while some provided data that seemed unrealistic. The academy is sceptical about the total amount.

Meanwhile, visitors and publishers mostly had positive thoughts about the fair, although limited entrance facilities caused some problems for visitors as some gates were closed due to security measures.

Dhaka University student Rahim Khan said, “I have been coming to the book fair for years. It’s a great initiative to promote reading and Bengali literature.”

Many visitors also complained about the increased prices of books this year. Even the same book from different publishers had a huge price difference in some cases.

Publishers said this was caused by the rising prices of paper. Still, books on literature sold well at the book fair.

Awards

The fair’s concluding ceremony was attended by State Minister for Culture KM Khalid, Bangla Academy Director General Nurul Huda and President Selina Hossain, and other officials.

At the event, various awards were presented to writers, publishers and organisations for their contributions to Bengali literature and the book industry.

“Syed Waliullah Literary Award 2022” was awarded to Caroline Roy and Mohammad Jasim Mallik. Jasim received Caroline’s award on her behalf as she is currently abroad.

Mohammad Rafiq was awarded the “Kobi Jasimuddin Sahitya Puraskar 2023.”

“Chittaranjan Saha Smriti Puroskar 2023” was awarded to Agamee Prakashani for publishing the highest number of quality books in 2022.

Journeyman Books, Panjeree Publications and Oitijjhya were awarded the “Munir Chowdhury Smriti Puroshkar 2023” for publishing the best books in terms of quality and artistic judgment in 2022.

Mayurpankhi received the “Rokonuzzaman Khan Dadabhai Smriti Puraskar 2023” for publishing the highest number of quality children’s books in 2022.

“Shilpi Qayyum Chowdhury Smriti Puraskar 2023” was awarded to Urrki, Nabanna Prokashoni and Puthiniloy Prokashoni for best-designed stalls and pavilion.

On the last day of the fair, as many as 267 new books were published — taking the total tally to 3,730, showcasing the latest and greatest offerings from some of the most prominent and new authors and publishing houses in the industry.

As the fair entered its final hour, the organisers had one last surprise in store for the visitors — a spectacular laser show to cap off the event in style.