The month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair witnessed a huge crowd as the event ends on Thursday on the premises of Bangla Academy and at the Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital.
A large number of children, accompanied by guardians, were seen buying their selected books at the children's corner marking National Children's Day.
Besides, book lovers of all ages participated in the event with enthusiasm despite the risk of Covid-19.
Crowd was also heavy as schools, colleges and universities were closed on Thursday to celebrate the 102nd birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Talking with The Business Post, several visitors claimed that they enjoyed the fair as they are now vaccinated and not scared of the Covid-19 anymore.
Despite the book fair was buzzing with a huge crowd it was seen that the law enforcers and volunteers have been seen trying to ensure health guidelines on the last day as well.
Earlier on February 27, the State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid said that the government extended the duration of the book fair which was originally scheduled to end on February 28, until March 17.
Amar Ekushey Book Fair began on February 15. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the fair after joining its inaugural ceremony at the Bangla Academy virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban.
The month-long book fair is organised every year in February to commemorate the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives on 21 February 1952 for establishing Bangla as the country’s mother tongue.
The traditional Amar Ekushey Book Fair began informally in 1972 at the Bangla Academy premises.
Later, the academy officially took the responsibility to arrange the fair regularly every year since 1978. It was then named “Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela,” and a guideline was laid out in this regard in 1984.
