Thousands of people flocked to the Ekushey Book Fair on the first day of Spring, on Tuesday, to siege the opportunity to celebrate Pahela Falgun.
A large number of visitors of all ages particularly youths were seen on the 13th day of the month-long fair.
Since the beginning, long queues built up in front of every entry point like any weekend days.
The stall attendants were found very busy as they were struggling to manage the huge crowd on the occasion.
Readers were found buying poetry books in great numbers.
Sellers said books on science fiction and novel are on high demands too.
Travelogue writer Shakoor Majid said he visited the fair on Tuesday particularly to celebrate the Pahela Falgun as well.
“In the presence of so many digital devices, we will miss the traditional way of writing. I still feel comfortable to write traditionally than digitally.” He said.
Moushumi Akter, a student of Jagannath University, was seen visiting the book fair along with a group of friends wearing festive attires.
She said “We have our traditional festival Pahela Falgun in February. On the other hand we also celebrate the International Mother Language Day on 21 February.”
“Both of the days have a connection with our emotion,” she said.
In recent years, the venue of the fair has been expanded to nearby Suhrawardy Udyan with some changes.
The authorities have allotted a total of 719 units - 136 at the Bangla Academy ground to 92 organisations and 583 at the Suhrawardy Udyan to 363 organisations.
There are strict security arrangements in and around the book fair venue to avert any unpleasant incident during the fair.
A newly launched website and apps provide the information about the fair while publishers from across the country are exhibiting a huge number of books on different issues. Bangla Academy is exhibiting some 141 newly printed and reprinted books.
Awards in different categories will be handed over to the publishing houses on the closing day of the book fair.
The book fair will remain open for all from 3pm to 9pm on working days and 11am to 9pm on government holidays with a one-hour break for lunch and offering prayers.
It will continue till February 28.
Bangla Academy will publish 146 new books this year.