Ekushey Book Fair stalls yet unprepared on its second day
City Desk :
The second day of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair, which began in Ramadan, did not see the expected readership.
Despite being a weekend holiday, the fair premises were largely empty of buyers. Instead of arranging books at many stalls, construction work is still going on-workers are busy with the sound of hammers and saws.
As a result, many publishers have not yet been able to start exhibiting books as they are not fully prepared.
Such a scene was observed between 3:00pm and 4:00pm while visiting the fairgrounds at the Suhrawardy Udyan on Friday.
It was seen on the spot that very few people were entering through the gate next to Engineers Institution Bangladesh. A few police members were on duty there. Some visitors were also seen entering through the gate adjacent to TSC. Many Ansar members were seen waiting inside.
Although there was an information center of the Bangla Academy inside the fair, no one was seen on duty there. Nearby, a couple of readers were seen looking at books at the Bangla Academy’s book pavilion.
Going further inside, it was seen that construction work was still going on at several stalls.
Some were sawing wood, some were making wooden frames. However, most of the stalls have completed construction and have started arranging books.
Most of the food stalls near the Engineers Institution area are also not ready yet. Workers said that it may take at least another five to seven days for the construction work of the entire fair to be completed.
Most of the stalls in the Suhrawardy Udyan section were empty of customers. However, some readers and visitors were seen flipping through books in front of the stalls of some popular publishers; some were even buying their favorite books.
Workers of various publishers participating in the fair said that although the fair started yesterday, not many readers and visitors are coming yet. Since it is the month of Ramadan, many are not interested in coming to the fair during the day. As a result, the crowd is low for now.
This year’s book fair began with the theme ‘Multidimensional Bangladesh’ on Thursday. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the fair as the chief guest that afternoon.
A total of 549 publications have participated in this year’s book fair. Of these, 81 are in the Bangla Academy premises and 468 in the Suhrawardy Udyan section. The total number of units is 1,018. Last year, 708 companies participated, with 1,084 units.
87 Little Magazines have been given stalls in the Little Magazine square in the tree-lined area adjacent to the open stage of Suhrawardy Udyan. There are 63 companies and 107 units in the children’s square.
Thematic seminars are being held on the main stage from 3pm to 4pm every day, and cultural programs are being held from 4pm to 5pm. ‘Shishuprahor’ is being organized every Friday and Saturday from 11am to 6pm.
There are drawing, recitation and music competitions for children and teenagers, as well as the unveiling of new books.
The fair will be open from 2pm to 9pm every day except holidays from February 26 to March 15. No new entry will be allowed after 8:30pm. On holidays, the fair will run from 11am to 9pm.
