Better late than never: the book festival has begun

After repeated postponements, uncertainties stemming from the national election, and differing opinions among stakeholders, the much-anticipated Amar Ekushey Book Fair finally opens today, Thursday, in the waning days of the month dedicated to language, against the backdrop of the sacred month of Ramadan. Unlike the traditional one-month schedule, this year’s fair will run for 18 days, from 26 February to 15 March. Despite all challenges, the organisers, Bangla Academy, express optimism that the annual gathering of writers, publishers, and readers will thrive with spontaneous participation and renewed enthusiasm.

At 2:00 PM, the inauguration ceremony will be held at the Bangla Academy, with Prime Minister Tarek Rahman attending as the chief guest to officially open the book fair. During the event, the Bangla Academy Literary Awards 2025 will also be presented. Following the formalities, the Prime Minister will tour the fairground to engage with exhibitors and visitors.

Earlier in the day, at 11:00 AM, the Prime Minister will confer the nation’s highest civilian honour, the Ekushey Padak 2026, at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. Alongside the awardees, the ceremony will host cabinet members, senior military and civil officials, and distinguished guests. The awards recognise exemplary contributions in various spheres of national life.

Traditionally, the book fair commences on the first day of February. However, this year, political realities and disagreements among publishers led to multiple schedule revisions. Ultimately, an agreement allowed all publishers to participate, with the government waiving stall fees and stipulating that no pavilions would be installed, setting the stage for a late-February opening.

The delay has posed challenges for the publishing industry, yet it has also heightened anticipation among readers. Publishers report that although the timeframe is shorter, enthusiasm for new publications remains undiminished. The post-election social landscape has even inspired fresh perspectives in this year’s literary offerings.

The inauguration programme will feature a welcome address by Professor Mohammad Azam, Director General of Bangla Academy, with greetings from Rezaul Karim Badsha, President of the Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association, and Mofidur Rahman, Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Special addresses will be delivered by Minister for Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury and State Minister Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khiem, while the proceedings will be chaired by Professor Abul Kasem Fazlul Haque, President of Bangla Academy.

The fair will remain open daily from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with entry after 8:30 PM restricted, except on holidays when it opens at 11:00 AM.

Hundreds of publishers have set up stalls across Bangla Academy and Suhrwardy Udyan, offering new releases, literary discussions, poetry readings, author-reader interactions, cultural programmes, and special arrangements for children and adolescents. A visit to the grounds yesterday, a day before the inauguration, revealed a vibrant, festive atmosphere in preparation for the opening.

Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 Schedule

This year, despite delays and challenges, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair promises a celebration of Bengali language, literature, and thought, reaffirming its status as a cherished cultural institution.