Puppets Enchant Children as Book Fair Opens

The historic grounds of Suhrawardy Udyan were transformed into a vibrant tapestry of colour and youthful curiosity this Friday morning. Following the official inauguration by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the Amar Ekushe Book Fair hosted its first "Shishu Prohor" (Children's Hour) of the 2026 season. Despite the warm sun and the observant atmosphere of Ramadan, the joy of the city's youngest readers remained undiminished as they flocked to the stalls.

A Grandchild’s First Fair

For six-year-old Aritra, the fair was a realm of infinite possibility. Clutching a vibrant assortment of coloring books and superhero tales, his excitement was infectious. "Grandfather, buy me this one! I want to learn to be Superman today," he insisted, his eyes wide with wonder.

His grandfather, Amal Hawladar, watched with a gentle smile. "Aritra has just started school this year," he explained. "This is his first time at the book fair, and his list of demands is seemingly endless. It is wonderful to see him so captivated by physical books."

Puppet Magic at the Heart of the Fair

While the bookshelves were a major draw, the undisputed highlight of the morning was the Puppet Show. As the clock struck eleven, children like Zahria, a third-grade student, abandoned their browsing to secure a spot at the puppet stage.

The performance began with the familiar voices of puppet friends Apu and Dipu, who engaged the audience with moral fables and educational riddles. The excitement reached a crescendo when a large, friendly tiger puppet bounded onto the stage to the rhythmic beats of traditional folk songs. The boundary between performer and audience vanished as the puppet ventured into the crowd, met by a chorus of squeals and tiny hands reaching out to touch its fur.

A Platform for Learning

Asaduzzaman Ashik, the founder of Kaktarua Puppet Theatre, emphasised that these performances are more than mere entertainment. "Children absorb stories far more effectively than lectures," he told reporters. "Through these puppets, we deliver messages of social harmony and attempt to dispel superstitions, all while ensuring the children are laughing."

Visiting Information for Families

Due to the overlap with the holy month of Ramadan, the fair's timings have been adjusted this year to accommodate fasting visitors and evening prayers.

Standard Hours: 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM daily.

Children’s Hour (Shishu Prohor): Fridays and Saturdays, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Last Entry: Visitors are permitted to enter until 8:30 PM.

The first Shishu Prohor has set a spirited tone for the month-long celebration of literature, proving that even in a digital age, the magic of a puppet and the smell of a new book remain unmatched.