Number of participating organizations increases at Ekushey Book Fair

The month-long ‘Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela 2024’, the country’s largest book fair, is going to begin on its traditional date of the first day of February this year.  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the book fair. 

This year, a total of 635 organizations have been allowed to set up stalls. The number of participating organizations has increased this year. 

Over 300 CCTV cameras will be set up to ensure security at the book fair.

Member Secretary of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair Committee Dr KM Muzahidul Islam said this at a press briefing on Tuesday.

“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the fair to be held under the auspices of Bangla Academy on its premises and Suhrawardy Udyan on February 1 at 3 pm”, he said 

According to Bangla Academy sources, a total of 937 stalls have been allocated to 635 organizations. 

Moreover, a total of 37 pavilions have been allocated this year. Last year, a total of 901 stalls were allocated in favour of 601 organizations. 

Stall allotment for old and newly enlisted publications was done through a digitalized lottery system on January 23. 

 ‘Shishu Chattar’ has also been set up in Sadhu Shanga area beside the Ramna Kali Temple. 

For notable contributions to various aspects of Bangla literature, this year, the Bangla Academy Literary Award-2023 will be given to 16 individuals in 11 categories- poetry, fiction, essay/research, translation, drama, children’s literature category, Liberation War, Bangabandhu, environment/science field, biography and folklore. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hand over the awards at the inaugural ceremony of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2024 scheduled to begin on February 1.