DHAKA, Feb 15, 2022 (BSS) - The traditional Amar Ekushey Book Fair
has been opened for the booklovers on Bangla Academy and its adjoining
Suhrawardy Udyan premises maintaining strictly the heath instructions
due to Covid-19 pandemic.

  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Amar Ekushey Book
Fair-2022 this afternoon virtually from her official Ganabhaban
residence.

  This year the Amar Ekushey Book Fair, also known as a place of
reunion of the writers-readers-publishers, which usually begins on the
first day of February, is scheduled to be continued till February 28
due to Covid-19 situation.

  However, the book fair is likely to be extended as the Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked the Bangla Academy authorities to
consider extending the book fair till March 17, the 102nd birth
anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

  On the first day, the fairground witnessed a lower number of
visitors while books have been displayed in most of the stalls. But
some stall owners have not yet been able to complete the construction
and decoration of their respective stalls.

  Talking to BSS, people expressed their satisfaction as the book fair
finally has begun after a lot of uncertainties due to the outbreak of
new Covid-19 variant omicron. However, they expressed concern as a
number of publishers including some renowned publications has not been
able to complete construction of their stalls.

  "It is definitely something to appreciate that the book fair is
finally being held. However, it seems that the fairground is not fully
ready for the booklovers as some stalls are not ready to display or
sell books," said a visitor N Islam Khandokar.

  Closure of schools-colleges and confusion over the book fair might
be the cause of fewer visitors as students usually come to the
fairground in group, said Khairul Islam Polash, publisher of 'Adorsha'
Publications.

  "We expected more visitors on the first day as the book fair is
being held after some uncertainties and for only 14 days. It seems
that the main purpose of large number of visitors is to spend time
there not buying books," said Sadia Yasmeen, attendant of 'Opupran'
publications.

  Publishers had less time to prepare the stalls and there has been a
lot of confusion about the fair due to Covid-19 outbreak, said Mehedi
Islam Mridul, in charge of 'Paribar' publications who was seen working
to complete his stall.

  "However, we are trying relentlessly to prepare stall for the
booklovers as soon as possible and hope it will take one or two days,"
he added.

  The book fair will remain open for all from 2 pm to 9 pm on working
days and 11:00 am to 9 pm on public holidays with a one-hour break for
lunch and offering prayers till February 28.

   The duration of the fair could be extended if the Corona situation improves.

  A total of 776 stalls have been allocated to 534 organizations. The
authorities have allotted 142 stalls to 102 organizations at the
Bangla Academy ground and 634 stalls to 432 organizations at the
Suhrawardy Udyan.

  Last year, a total of 834 stalls were allocated in favour of 540
organizations.

  Moreover, a total of 35 pavilions have been allocated this year.
Apart from this, there are 127 stalls at Little Magazine Chattar,
which was 140 in 2021, 155 in 2020.

   Alongside all the necessary health precautions due to the Covid-19
pandemic, there are strict security arrangements in and around the
venue to prevent any unpleasant incidents.

  The month-long book fair is usually arranged every year in February
commemorating the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives on 21
February 1952 for establishing Bangla as the mother tongue.

  The traditional Amar Ekushey Book Fair began informally in 1972 on
the Bangla Academy premises. Later, the academy officially took the
responsibility to arrange the fair every year.