The authorities have extended Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela by two days following a demand by the publishers after rains disrupted the month-long fair, reports bdnews24.com.
It will end on Saturday(March 2), State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid Babu announced on Thursday.
The publishers had called for the extension as continuous spells of rain destroyed different stalls and thousands of books at the fair.
“We have expressed sorrow over the damage and sufferings of the publishers due to storm and rains,” the state minister said while announcing the extension at the closing ceremony.
Khalid said he had discussed the issue with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and she instructed the extension of the fair by two days.
The government also considered a programme marking Bangabandhu’s historic March 7, 1971 speech at the Suhrawardy Udyan while agreeing to the extension, he added.
