Desk Report:

The month-long “Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2024” will begin on Bangla Academy premises and at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka today.

The fair has carved a niche in the hearts of all Bangalees, organized as it is by Bangla Academy in the month of February every year commemorating the historic Language Movement of 1952. It brings together people from all walks of life, including writers, readers and cultural activists.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina will present as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony and inaugurate the fair at 3:00pm in person.

She will unwrap cover of some books including the Collected Works of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Volume-2 and handover the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2023 to the sixteen recipients of the award in eleven categories.

Bangla Academy director general Mohammad Nurul Huda will deliver the welcome speech while cultural affairs secretary Khalil Ahmed will attend the inaugural ceremony as special guest while the session will be presided over by the academy’s president Selina Hossain.

The fair will be opened for the visitors after the inauguration.

Book fair authorities have allotted 937 units to 635 publishing houses and organisations in around 11.5 lakh square feet area for the country’s biggest book fair.

Among the allocations, 173 units are allocated to 120 publishing houses and organisations on the Bangla Academy premises, while 764 units are allocated to 515 publishing houses and organisations at Suhrawardy Udyan.

Besides, 37 pavilions are allocated to big publishing houses and organisations.

There will be eight gates in Suhrawardy Udyan part of the fair and two gates in Bangla Academy part to enter and exit the fair venues.

Foolproof security measures have been taken for the month-long Ekushey Book Fair, said Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman at a press conference at the Suhrawardy Udyan premises on Wednesday afternoon.

The DMP commissioner said a CCTV control room has been set up at the fair and the  surrounding areas and the fair ground will be monitored at all times. He said that more than 300 CCTV cameras were installed at the fairground and adjacent areas and members of law and enforcement agencies would work to ensure security at the fair venue.

Bags and belongings will be searched and there are metal detectors at the gate.

A  team of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) will remain alert to tackle any untoward incident. Police will be deployed in and around the fair venue, while plainclothes policemen and detectives will patrol in and around the book fair grounds, he added.

The fair will remain open from 3:00pm to 9:00pm every day except holidays till February 29. Visitors will not be allowed to enter the fair after 8:30pm.

It will open at 11:00pm on Friday, Saturday and public holidays and at 8:00am on February 21.