Bangla Academy has begun constructing stalls and pavilions for the Amar Ekushey Book Fair, set to open on February 20, despite strong opposition from publishers over the timing during Ramadan. Preparations are underway at both the Bangla Academy premises and Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, as the Academy remains firm on its schedule.
During site visits on Saturday, ongoing construction work was observed at both venues in the Dhaka University area. Bangla Academy has allocated stalls to 551 publishers out of 580 applicants, citing space limitations. A symbolic one-day book fair was held on February 1 to mark the prelude to the main event. The decision to hold the fair during Ramadan has sparked controversy. Publishers warned of financial and logistical challenges, including reduced footfall, Eid travel, and closure of educational institutions. At a press conference on February 2, industry representatives renewed calls to reschedule the fair until after Eid-ul-Fitr, and urged the government to waive stall rent and bear construction costs to support the financially vulnerable publishing sector. They also proposed a special book allowance for students and reforms to the government's book procurement policy.
Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam defended the decision, stating that publisher consent was collected before announcing the February 20 start date. He ruled out postponement to April, citing risks from Kalbaishakhi storms and other natural disruptions. Addressing concerns over restricted publications, he clarified that such matters fall under state policy, not the Academy's jurisdiction.
To accommodate Ramadan, the Academy announced large-scale iftar facilities, expanded prayer spaces, and an earlier start time of 2:00 pm. Stall rent has been reduced by 25 per cent compared to last year, though overall organizational costs have increased due to venue management, stall construction, and cultural programming.
Despite publisher concerns, Bangla Academy remains committed to launching the Amar Ekushey Book Fair on February 20, highlighting the cultural significance of the event and its role in fostering literary engagement in Bangladesh.
