The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025 officially began this month, embracing the theme 'July Uprising: Building a New Bangladesh,' celebrating the spirit of last year's historic student-led mass movement.
In a poignant tribute, the fair honours not only the language martyrs but also the martyrs of the 2024 uprising. As readers and book lovers flocked to the fair, it was evident that the crowd was larger than the number of buyers, with many visitors bringing their families to enjoy the occasion. Young men and women dominated the scene, reflecting the fair's appeal to the younger generation.
The organisers worked to ensure a comfortable experience for readers, with designated zones for digital payments and a special area dedicated to book reading. For families, a children's corner has been set up, complete with a designated time slot for young readers.
While the majority of pavilions and stalls are ready for visitors, some, such as those of Ayon Publications (Stall Nos. 460-463), are still undergoing finishing touches.
Hasibul Rinku, one of the organisers at Ayon Publications, remarked that the stalls are a result of hard work from both publishers and construction artists, bringing intellectual richness to the fair under the slogan 'I am Bangladesh.'
Although there are no drastic changes in the arrangement of the books, the fair's expansion is a notable development. The number of publishing houses has risen from 635 last year to 708 this year. Of the 37 pavilions, 36 are located at Suhrawardy Udyan, with the most attractive among them being Batighar, Ittihad, Akash, and Onnodhara. Bishwo Sahitya Kendra's pavilion stands out with its unique double-decker red bus design.
Abdul Owadud Mahdi, Additional Managing Director at Kalantor Prokashoni, expressed his joy at the 61 Islamic publication stalls present at the fair, which he believes is a delightful outcome of the July uprising.
A dustbin featuring a picture of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has sparked some controversy. Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser of the interim government, was seen photographing the dustbin, and the image has since spread on social media. The organisers defended the inclusion of Hasina's picture as an expression of the people's "freedom of expression."
Among the many highlights of the fair, the book "Chobbisher Chhottirish July Gonobhyutthan (36 July Mass Uprising of 2024)" by Sardar Mukhtar Ali stands out as this year's main attraction.
Authors like Shatabdi Ghosh and Hasin Ishraq also shared their excitement at the fair, noting its role not only as a space for books but as a platform for creative expression.
Shatabdi Ghosh, whose romantic novel Ek Poshla Brishti Te Tumi is featured, described the book fair as an "endless source of creativity."
Ishraq, whose psychological thriller Nidrit Nagari explores human psychology, similarly praised the fair for offering authors a unique opportunity to share new perspectives.
Visitors to the Zia Cyber Force (ZCF) stall (Nos. 1067/1068) were greeted by Bir Muktijoddha and BNP Chairperson's Adviser, Abdus Salam, who invited nationalist comrades to explore their activities and show support for the cause.
The fair is open daily from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM on weekdays and from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM on public holidays, with a strict policy of no entry after 8:30 PM.
With a broader array of publications, unique pavilions, and intellectual exchanges, this year's Amar Ekushey Book Fair promises to be an exciting and enriching experience for all attendees.
