Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday inaugurated the Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2022 in the capital of Dhaka.
She opened the book fair on the Bangla Academy premises joining virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence this afternoon.
The fair, a yearly event of booklovers and publishers, began on the Bangla Academy premises and at adjoining Suhrawardy Udyan in the city.
The main theme of the fair-2022 is "Birth Centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Golden Jubilee of Country's Independence."
Sheikh Hasina also distributed the Bangla Academy Sahitya Puroshkar-2021 (Bangla Academy Literature Award) at the opening ceremony.
On behalf of the prime minister, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid handed over the awards to the recipients and spoke at the function.
Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Abul Mansur spoke on the occasion with Bangla Academy President writer Selina Hossain in the chair.
Bangla Academy Director General poet Mohammad Nurul Huda delivered the welcome speech.
The award recipients for 2021 are -- Asad Mannan, Bimal Guha (Poetry); Jharna Rahman, Bishwajit Chowdhury (Literature); Hosenuddin Hossain (Essay/Research); Aminur Rahman, Rafik-um-Munir Chowhdhury (Translation); Sadhana Ahmed (Drama); Rafikur Rashid (Children's Literature); Panna Kaiser (Liberation War related research); Harun-ur-Rashid (Bangabandhu related research); Shubhagata Chowdhury (Science Fiction/Environmental Science), Sufia Khatun, Haider Akbar Khan Rano (Autobiography/Travelogue) and Aminur Rahman Sultan (Folklore).
Each awardee received a cheque of TK 3 lakh and crest.
Bangla Academy Sahitya Puroshkar is given by the Bangla Academy in recognition to advancement and overall contribution to the field of Bengali language and literature.
The book fair will remain open for all from 2 pm to 9 pm on working days and 11:00 am to 9 pm on public holidays with a one-hour break for lunch and offering prayers till February 28.
The duration of the fair could be extended if the Coronavirus situation improves.
A total of 776 stalls have been allocated to 534 organizations. The authorities have allotted 142 stalls to 102 organizations at the Bangla Academy ground and 634 stalls to 432 organizations at the Suhrawardy Udyan.
Last year, a total of 834 stalls were allocated in favour of 540 organizations.
Moreover, a total of 35 pavilions have been allocated this year. Apart from this, there are 127 stalls at Little Magazine Chattar, which was 140 in 2021, 155 in 2020.
Alongside all the necessary health precautions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there are strict security arrangements in and around the venue to prevent any unpleasant incidents.
The month-long book fair is usually arranged every year in February commemorating the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives on 21 February 1952 for establishing Bangla as the mother tongue.
The traditional Amar Ekushey Book Fair began informally in 1972 on the Bangla Academy premises. Later, the academy officially took the responsibility to arrange the fair every year.
Source: BSS