Amar Ekushey Book Fair is organized on the month of the language movement to remember the martyrs as well as inspire a love for reading.
Bangla Academy regularly organizes a weekly session for children during the fair, known as “Shishu Prohor” or children's hour.
The session is held on Fridays, and to increase children's interest, it includes the performance of the main characters of the children's puppetry show “Sisimpur”. A painting and music competition is also held during the session.
On Friday morning, after the gates of the fair opened at around 11am, children and teenagers started arriving at the fair with their parents, siblings, and guardians. Later at around 11:30am, Sisimpur's performance and painting competition began.
Famous children's writer Dr Zafar Iqbal came to the book fair and met the children at around 12pm. During this time, he told the children stories and encouraged them to read more books.
He also took a look at the paintings made by the children.
Rajia Ahmed, a seventh grader, came to the book fair with her father. She said she likes comic books and fairy tales.
“I love adventure comic books more. I bought two today (Friday),” she said.
Rajin Halder, a second grader, watched the Sisimpur characters' performance while sitting on his father's shoulders, as they could not manage a seat.
Rajin said: “I came to the fair to see Sisimpur characters sing and dance. I like Halum better. I came to see him. I will buy three books after their performance. Then I will return home with my father.”