Booklovers on Wednesday thronged the Amar Ekushey Book Fair on Bangla Academy premises and Suhrawardy Udyan to buy the latest books from their favourite writers.
The fair, which was postponed for two weeks due to the surge of coronavirus, began on Tuesday.
People of all ages, especially youths, were seen visiting the book fair in colourful attires. However, authorities concerned urged the visitors to be masked up and maintain other health rules all the time during their presence at the fair.
Setting an air of inspiration for the readers, the booklovers were seen roaming around the fair venue with great enthusiasm.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday called upon Bangla Academy and local administration to take measures for increasing cultural and literary activities at the district level and expanding tenure of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair till March 17, the birthday of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“Cultural and literary practices, including cultural programmes and discussions on literature, were held at the district and upazila levels which have decreased nowadays. We have to reintroduce the practices and increase our cultural programmes to further strengthen our existence,” she said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made the remarks while opening virtually the Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2022 in the city as the chief guest from her official Ganabhaban residence on Tuesday afternoon.
Books have been displayed in most of the stalls but some stalls have not yet been constructed and decorated.
The book fair will be open daily from 2pm to 9pm except holidays. No one will be able to enter the fair after 8 pm. On holidays, the book fair will be held from 11 am to 9 pm.
The book fair is being held on the premises of Bangla Academy and the historic Suhrawardy Udyan hosting a total of 35 pavilions with 142 units for 102 institutions in the academy premises and 634 units for 432 institutions in the Suhrawardy Udyan section. A total of 776 units have been allotted to 534 institutions.
The fair consists of four entrances and three exits in the Suhrawardy Udyan section of the book fair for public entry and exit. On special days, arrangements will be made for writers, journalists, publishers and state honored citizens.
As always, three pavilions of Bangla Academy, one stall for children's books and one stall for literary monthly heritage have been allotted. This time ‘Shishu Chattar’ has been set up in the Suhrawardy Udyan section.
