Nine-day divisional book fair opens in Khulna

KHULNA, Nov 10: A nine-day divisional book fair began in Khulna on Tuesday with an inaugural ceremony at the Divisional Commissioner’s Office in the Boyra area.

Divisional Commissioner Md Abdullah Harun chaired the ceremony. Khulna Development Authority (KDA) Chairman SM Shafiqul Alam, Deputy Commissioner Hoore Jannat, National Book Centre Director Afsana Begum and Cultural Affairs Ministry Deputy Secretary Amitabh Parag Talukder attended it as special guests.

Speaking at the event, Harun said book fairs play an important role in building a knowledge-based society, describing books as people’s best companions. He said developing a habit of reading would help build an informed and strong nation.

Earlier, a colourful procession started from New Market and paraded through several streets before reaching the fair venue. Government officials, teachers, students and people from different walks of life took part.

The fair will remain open through November 18, from 3 pm to 10 pm daily and from 10 am to 10 pm on government holidays.

Cultural programmes, poetry recitations, extempore speeches and quiz competitions for children and teenagers will be held daily. Three seminars will focus on culture and morality, humanism and world peace, and Bangladeshi nationalism and multiparty democracy. Three visitors who purchase books will receive prizes daily through a coupon draw.

A total of 90 stalls have been set up, including 71 allocated to publishers from Dhaka and nine to divisional and district offices. Other stalls will accommodate a police control room, information centre, nursery, readers’ corner and media personnel. Five additional stalls will sell food. Publishers will display and sell their own publications at the fair.