ছবি: Photo: Collected
The Amar Ekushey Book Fair has reached its halfway mark, drawing an overwhelming number of book lovers, especially on weekends. Since the beginning of the fair, readers have been visiting daily, purchasing books, strolling through the venue, and capturing memories. Publishers and sales representatives eagerly await visitors each day, but Saturday, being a holiday, saw an extraordinary influx of attendees, significantly boosting sales.
A visit to the fairground revealed heavy crowds at both entry and exit points. Inside the venue, people had to navigate through dense waves of visitors. Many had traveled from outside Dhaka to be part of the event. The festive ambiance of Valentine’s Day and the first day of Spring still lingered in the air, with visitors filling every corner of the fairground. The day also featured a special children’s hour, drawing young readers in large numbers. As the day progressed, the crowd grew even larger, filling the stalls with eager visitors. With educational institutions closed for the weekend, students took the opportunity to explore the fair as well.
The majority of visitors entered through the TSC-adjacent gate of Suhrawardy Udyan, where separate queues for men and women ensured organized access. Upon arrival, attendees had to undergo security checks by the police. To assist visitors, information booths, announcement centers, and maps were placed near the main entrance, ensuring a smooth navigation experience. Beyond the entrance, the vast fairground stretched out with numerous pavilions, stalls, and sections for little magazines.
The weekend crowd was further bolstered by students appearing for admission tests at Dhaka University and Jagannath University, many of whom visited the fair with their guardians. Those who had avoided the fair on the heavily crowded days of February 14 and 15 took the opportunity to attend on Saturday instead. Unlike other days, sales representatives were constantly engaged, leaving little room for idle time. Booksellers reported a notable increase in sales as visitors enthusiastically browsed through books and made purchases.
According to vendors, overall sales have been relatively good from the start of the fair, but on weekends, sales figures rise significantly. Many attendees took advantage of the Shab-e-Barat holiday to visit the fair, leading to increased foot traffic. By the afternoon, the number of buyers and visitors had surged, keeping booksellers occupied throughout the day.
Among the many visitors was Ruhul Amin Sarkar, who came from Tongi with his cousin after attending the Dhaka University admission test. He expressed his excitement about the fair, saying, “I had my admission test earlier today, and since I was already in the area, I thought it would be a great opportunity to visit the book fair. I haven't bought any books yet, but I am browsing to find something interesting.”
Shahnaz Parveen, who traveled from Azimpur, shared her surprise at the overwhelming crowd. “I did not expect such a huge gathering. I had to wait in line for ten minutes before getting inside. However, I am enjoying the experience. I have already purchased two novels and plan to explore more.”
Despite the bustling environment, some sellers pointed out that while the number of visitors was high, actual buyers were relatively fewer. Several vendors noted that many people came only to take photos rather than purchase books.
Rahi Akter, a sales representative at Gyanakosha Publications, acknowledged the large turnout but mentioned that sales figures were only moderately high. “There has been a good flow of visitors throughout the day, but not everyone is buying books. However, the overall atmosphere has been vibrant,” she said.
Shahriar Hossain, a bookseller at Prothoma Publications, expressed disappointment about the sales trend. “Although the number of visitors has almost doubled compared to other days, the volume of sales has not increased proportionately. Many people come here just to take pictures and leave without buying anything,” he noted.
On Saturday, the 15th day of the book fair, the event commenced at 2:00 PM and continued until 9:00 PM. A total of 175 new books were released on this day.
The day also featured several cultural and literary events. At 10:00 AM, the final round of the Amar Ekushey Children's and Youth Music Competition took place on the main stage of the fair. The judging panel included noted artists Sumon Majumdar, Priyanka Gop, and Rezaul Karim.
At 4:00 PM, a discussion session titled “Life and Works: Syed Ali Ahsan” was held at the fair’s main stage. The keynote paper was presented by Muhammad Abdul Baten, with panel discussions led by Tarek Reza and Mohibur Rahim. The session was presided over by Abdul Hai Shikdar.
During the “Writers’ Speak” segment, poets Shahidullah Faraezi and Mohibur Rahim introduced and discussed their newly published books.
The cultural events of the day included poetry recitations by Tarif Rahman and Zahid Haider, along with performances by elocutionists Sayera Habib, Sharmin Jui, and Shahnaz Parveen Lipi. The evening also featured performances by cultural organizations “Shahid Shilpigoshthi and Cultural Academy” under the direction of Md. Shahidullah and “Shilpabritto” led by Chaiti Parveen.
Sunday’s Events at the Book Fair
On Sunday, the 16th day of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair, the gates will open at 3:00 PM and remain open until 9:00 PM. A discussion session titled “Life and Works: Zahir Raihan” will be held at 4:00 PM on the main stage. The keynote paper will be presented by poet Sahul Ahmed, with discussions featuring Mashiul Alam and Ahmad Mostafa Kamal. The session will be chaired by Mahbub Hasan.
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