The Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2019 wore a festive look with a vibrant presence of book lovers, projecting diversified Bangla literature and different forms of art and culture.
With huge enthusiasm and curiosity, thousands of visitors of all ages flocked to different stalls and pavilions to find out books of their beloved writers, reports BSS.
On the first day of Shishu Prohor (children’s hour) at Amar Ekushey Book Fair today, the fairground was buzzing with children as the fair has dedicated four hours –11:00am to 3:00pm — specially for children on every Friday and Saturday.
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.
Friday and Saturday being the holidays attracts more visitors than the working days. For the first time, visitors will be enjoying the Glass tower at Suhrawardi Uddyan and Shikha Anirban as the fair added the places for stalls.
Book lovers’ rising interest in creative books are said to be the reason of the book fair getting bigger each year as a total of 770 stalls of publication houses under 24 pavilions will be set up in the book fair covering an area of 3 lakh square feet. Apart from this, there will be 155 stalls at Little Magazine Chattar.
A mancha (stage) for holding publication ceremonies and programmes on unveiling covers of the books has been installed at Suhrawardy Udyan, while discussions and seminars will be held every day on the main mancha erected on the Bangla Academy premises.
A separate gate has been set up for entrance of writers, litterateurs, poets and senior personalities of different sectors, including civil society members and dignitaries.
Two main entry gates have been erected at Teacher-Students’ Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University and Doyel Chattar. Besides, there will be three paths on the Bangla Academy premises, while six entrance and exit routes in Suhrawardy Udyan.
The book fair will remain open for all from 3 pm to 9 pm on working days and 8:30 am to 9 pm on government holidays with a one-hour break for lunch and offering prayers. It will continue till February 28.