Spirit of 'Amar Ekushey' inspires July Uprising: CA

The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025 was inaugurated on Saturday by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, who emphasized the deep connection between the spirit of Amar Ekushey and the historic July uprising that led to the formation of a 'New Bangladesh.'

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Prof. Yunus highlighted that the sacrifices of Barkat, Salam, Rafiq, and Jabbar in the language movement of 1952 carried forward a powerful spirit that eventually culminated in last year's July uprising. He noted that this movement was a mass explosion of commitment and determination, uniting the people in a historic struggle against autocratic rule.

�The great explosive power of the July Uprising was hidden in the blood of our martyrs. After half a century, this commitment turned into a mass uprising and transformed the country,� said Prof. Yunus.

The Chief Adviser recalled the sacrifices of the students, workers, and general masses who laid down their lives during the uprising that ended a 16-year-long autocratic regime. He stated that the book fair, with its theme �July Mass Uprising: Building a New Bangladesh,� carries a renewed significance this year.

The event commenced with the national anthem performed by the cultural organization 'Sur Saptak' under the direction of Ferdous Ara, followed by a collective rendition of the historic song "Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey Februari." A minute of silence was observed in honor of the martyrs of the language movement, liberation war, and July uprising, followed by readings from holy scriptures.

Prof. Yunus also stressed the importance of recognizing the contributions of Bangladeshi expatriates, acknowledging their role in shaping the country�s identity and success worldwide. �They celebrate Ekushey remembering their country and introduce their children as part of our family,� he stated.

The inauguration ceremony saw speeches from prominent figures, including Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam, who spoke on the role of the July uprising in shaping Bangladesh�s new journey toward liberation. Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Md. Mofidur Rahman, and President of the Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association, Md. Rezaul Karim Badsha, also addressed the audience, expressing enthusiasm for this year�s book fair.

Professor Abul Kasem Fazlul Haque, in his speech, emphasized that the uprising created an opportunity to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh, urging young writers to break intellectual boundaries and contribute to a progressive future.

Despite the inauguration, many stalls at the book fair were still in the process of being arranged, with some yet to be fully decorated. However, visitors had already begun arriving at the venue, anticipating the start of book sales in the coming days. The stalls, adorned in red and blue, reflect the vibrant spirit of the fair.

The event also featured the prestigious Bangla Academy Literary Award 2024, presented by the Chief Adviser to distinguished writers across various categories, including poetry, drama, research, and folklore.

Following the inauguration, Prof. Yunus toured the fairgrounds at Bangla Academy, appreciating the murals depicting the July uprising and the artistic expression of the youth on street walls, which he described as �historical documents.�

The book fair will continue throughout February, hosting various literary discussions and cultural programs. On February 2, a discussion in memory of poet Helal Hafiz will take place at 4:00 PM, featuring renowned literary figures. The fair will be open to visitors from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM.