The Ekushey Book Fair-2023 wore a festive look with a vibrant presence of book lovers on the weekend- Friday and Saturday, the first weekend of the month, and the 3rd and 4th day of the month-long book fair.
With huge enthusiasm and curiosity, thousands of visitors of all ages, particularly the youth and children, flocked to different stalls and pavilions to find books of their beloved writers on the day, reports BSS.
The presence of children was remarkable in the morning on both days while the number of visitors of all ages increased in the afternoon.
On the first and second day of Shishu Prohor (children's hour) at Amar Ekushey Book Fair, the fairground was abuzz with children as the fair had dedicated hours - 11am to 1pm - for children.
Children seemed to be enjoying themselves as they were playing, buying books and taking pictures with the characters of Sisimpur at Shishu Chhattar, a platform that has been dedicated to children in the fair for learning and playing at the same time.
Fariha Tasnim Annaya, a fourth grader from Motijheel, came with her parents to participate in the Children's Hour. "I've bought two story books and played in the Shishu Chhatar area. I visit the fair with my parents every year and love to buy story and drawing books," she said.
"The whole scenario of the fairground is quite different on the weekend compared to the first two days as the remarkable presence of visitors has been making the fair lively since morning," said Jannatul Tasfia, stall attendant of Chironton Publication, also a 3rd-year student of Dhaka University.
However, a number of young and teenage people are seen to show less interest in buying books rather they are busy hanging out with friends and taking pictures, she added.
It is a matter of satisfaction for the publishers as the book fair witnessed vibrant presence of visitors on the third and fourth day of the fair, said Agamee Prakashani owner Osman Gani. "We hope the fair will be more vibrant in the days to come and will be attracting more book lovers", he added.
A total of 113 new books hit the stalls of Amar Ekushey Book Fair today, on the 4th day of the fair beginning on February 01.
A discussion remembering Dr Akbar Ali Khan, Economist, educationist and former adviser to the caretaker government was held at the main stage of the fair at 4 pm today, a press release said.
Chaired by Mohammad Sadik, the discussion was addressed, among others, by Faruk Moinuddin, Md Mofakharul Islam and Kamrul Hasan while the main article was presented by Aminul Islam Bhuiyan.
In the 'Lekhak Bolsi' programme, Farooq Hossain, Abdul Bachir, Ishaq Khan and Afroza Soma discussed on their new books, added the release.
A total of 901 stalls have been allocated to 601 organisations. The authorities have allotted 165 stalls to 112 organisations for the Bangla Academy ground and 736 stalls to 489 organisations for the Suhrawardy Udyan.
Moreover, a total of 38 pavilions have been allocated this year. Last year, a total of 774 stalls were allocated in favour of 534 organisations. Apart from this, there will be 153 stalls at Little Magazine Chattar, which were 127 in 2022, 140 in 2021 and 155 in 2020.
The book fair will remain open for all from 3 pm to 9 pm on working days and 11:00 am to 9 pm on public holidays with a one-hour break for lunch and prayers, said Dr KM Muzahidul Islam.