Ekushey Book Fair begins in Ctg

The 23-day Amar Ekushey Book Fair has kicked off in the CRB area of Chattogram city. 

Chattogram City Corporation Mayor M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury opened the fair by hoisting the national flag at an event on Friday.

With Friday being a holiday, the fair witnessed a steady influx of visitors from the afternoon, eager to browse through the varied collection of literary treasures on offer.

Organised by Chattogram City Corporation, the book fair has garnered cooperation from various organisations, including the Chattogram Creative Publishers Council, Chattogram Citizens Society, writers, journalists, educationists, and literary-cultural platforms.

Spanning across 43,000 square feet, the fair boasts a total of 155 stalls representing 92 publishing houses from Dhaka and Chattogram, offering visitors a vast selection of books covering a myriad of genres. 

This year, the book fair has a budget of Tk50 lakh, with plans to honour individuals with the Ekushey Sammanna Smarak Padak and Sahitya Award for their outstanding contributions to national life.

The fairground features stalls from renowned publishing houses such as Baatighar, Prothoma, Anyadhara, Sahitya Bichitra, Murdhanya, Labanya. Additionally, visitors have been particularly drawn to Bidyananda's stall, uniquely constructed with bamboo fencing, creating an inviting ambiance for readers.

Adjacent to the fair, under the supervision of the city corporation in collaboration with the Muktijoddha Sangsad, a photo exhibition titled "Itihash Katha Koi" has been opened, offering visitors insights into historical narratives and cultural heritage.

For the younger visitors, a children's corner has been installed on the fair premises, where kids can enjoy a range of rides, indulge in delicious food from various stalls, and explore pottery stalls.

The fair will run until 2 March, operating from 3pm to 9pm on weekdays and from 10am to 9pm on holidays, said organisers.