With the arrival of spring, or Boshonto, in this part of the world, Cupid never fails to make his presence felt, striking with his special arrows.
And what better place to experience the season of love than in the serene yet vibrant setting of the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela.
On Valentine's Day, the book fair grounds buzzed with excitement, blending the vivid hues of Falgun with the spirit of romance.
As is typical on weekends, the morning started off slow, but as the day progressed, the crowd grew steadily.
People of all ages—children, teenagers, and adults—dressed in bright yellow and crimson red, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Ritu, 25, and Rayan, 27, visited the fair together.
When asked about their experience, Rayan shared: "Every time I come here, I feel something unique. This time is no different—I feel great."
Ritu added: "I visit every year, but this time feels more special because I'm here with someone I love."
She also mentioned her intention to buy more books from young writers this year, demonstrating a thoughtful appreciation for emerging talent.
Among the many visitors was 12-year-old Ittsha, wearing a yellow saree.
When asked about her outfit choice, she said: "I wore this saree because of Falgun, and it feels amazing."
She barely hesitated when asked about her favorite books, replying enthusiastically: "I love science fiction by Zafar Iqbal sir."
Booksellers also noted the increased footfall. Bokul, one of the vendors, said: "There's a bigger crowd today because of Falgun. Several books have sold more compared to previous days."
Young author Fahmida Faruk, who has six books to her name, shared insights about her latest work: "Cloud Nine is a romantic novel."
Regarding sales, she said: "Overall, sales have been slower than in previous years, but I’m hopeful they’ll pick up on February 21st."
Publishers echoed similar sentiments. While the larger crowd boosted book sales slightly, they remain hopeful that numbers will remain steady towards the end of the day.
Ibrahim, a salesperson at one of the 937 stalls that dot the fairgrounds this year, said: "It’s natural to expect higher sales on a day like this, with the combination of spring and love. However, sales haven't increased significantly yet, and the number of readers still seems relatively low."
What Ibrahim suggests is that the success or failure of Boi Mela in any given year cannot be judged solely by the crowds, the sales figures, or even the excitement in the air on special days like February 14.
However, one thing is certain—Valentine’s Day has firmly established itself as a highlight of the Boi Mela experience.