Dhaka’s Amar Ekushey Book Fair revitalises Bengali culture
Prime Minister Tarique Rahma inaugurated "Multidimensional Bangladesh", a literary event postponed due to the elections. Held at the Bangla Academy, it commemorates the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement and promotes democracy and culture through reading in a country that is at the bottom of the rankings for the number of books read. With 549 publishers attending, it now aims to become an international event.
Dhaka (AsiaNews) – The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 opened yesterday in Dhaka, marked by appeals to strengthen the country's democratic spirit through knowledge and culture. Inaugurating the fair at the Bangla Academy, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman described the month-long festival as a "nursery of education and cultural development," urging fellow Bangladeshis, especially young people, to rediscover the habit of reading in an age increasingly dominated by screens.
The Amar Ekushey Book Fair began in 1972 as a small commemorative event; it was officially established by the Bangla Academy in 1978, becoming Bangladesh's largest and most symbolic literary exhibition.
This edition, titled "Multidimensional Bangladesh”, began a few weeks later than usual due to national elections. Traditionally launched on 1 February, the fair is a cultural landmark commemorating the martyrs of the Language Movement, students and activists killed in Dhaka on 21 February 1952, by Pakistani police during protests for the recognition of Bengali. The delay, however, did not dampen the enthusiasm of publishers, readers, and intellectuals who crowded the opening ceremony.
The prime minister, accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and his daughter, lawyer Jaima Rahman, inaugurated the fair by awarding the 2025 Bangla Academy Literary Prize to eight writers in categories ranging from nonfiction and children's literature to research to translation. The ceremony began with the singing of the national anthem.
In his speech, Rahman stated that the newly elected government intends to build “a prosperous, merit-based and democratic Bangladesh," noting that a knowledge-based society cannot coexist with oppression or censorship.
“In fascism-free Bangladesh, the journey of a democratic government has begun, elected directly by the people,” he said. “This government, accountable to the people, wants to enlighten the country with the light of knowledge.”
The fair, which will continue until 15 March, will be open daily from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm, with earlier opening hours on holidays, at 11:00 am. The entrance gates will close at 8:30 PM.
A total of 549 publishing houses are participating, with 81 booths located within the Bangla Academy complex and 468 in the larger Suhrawardy Udyan area. A dedicated area for 87 small magazines has also been created, maintaining a long tradition of supporting experimental and alternative literary publications.
Publishers had initially expressed concerns over this year's participation due to the proximity of Ramadan, which they feared would reduce book sales and attendance. Many stalls were set up only after the government agreed to waive rental fees, a last-minute decision that helped ensure widespread participation.
Syed Zakir Hossain of Adorn Publications said the community's ability to unite and keep the fair alive is an achievement in itself. Despite the risk of financial losses, he said, "I see it as a success for us to continue the book fair rather than not hold it."
For its part, the Bangla Academy announced that the 2026 fair was designated a "zero waste" event. Polythene bags and smoking are banned at the different venues in an effort to make the country's largest cultural gathering environmentally friendly.
In his address, Prime Minister Rahman also emphasised the deeper symbolic significance of the Ekushey Book Fair. “It is more than a book market,” he said. “It has become a symbol of our talent and thinking. Today's fair embodies the aspirations of the language martyrs.”
Still, he lamented the decline in the habit of reading in Bangladesh, noting that it ranked 97th out of 102 in a recent global survey. On average, Bangladeshis read only three books a year. For this reason, the prime minister stressed the need to reconnect with printed books, whose depth and consistency remain unmatched by digital alternatives.
Rahman said the fair must inspire a new generation of readers, adding that the Bangla Academy should begin planning to transform the national fair into an international one. In his view, such an expansion would foster a closer exchange with world literature and strengthen Bangladesh's ongoing commitment to having Bengali recognised as an official language at the United Nations.
Before leaving the venue, the prime minister cut the ribbon to officially inaugurate the fair and visited several stalls, speaking with publishers and writers. He ended his address by urging his fellow citizens of all backgrounds, and regardless of political views, religion, or caste, to work together for a "safe, humane, and prosperous Bangladesh first.”
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12/04/2007
25/02/2023 17:57
