The month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2020 will begin at the premises of Bangla Academy and at the adjoining Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Sunday.
This year, Bangla Academy has set the theme "Birth Centenary of Bangabandhu" for the fair as it will be dedicated to the iconic leader, marking his birth centenary, reports BSS.
Focusing on Bangabandhu, architect Enamul Karim Nirjhar has drawn up the overall plan of the book fair.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the month-long book fair as the chief guest at 3pm on Sunday, where State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid will be present as special guest. National Professor Dr Anisuzzamanin will preside over the event.
Both President Abdul Hamid and the Prime Minister issued separate messages for “Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2020” and wished its success.
In his message, President Abdul Hamid appreciated dedicating this year’s Amar Ekushey Book fair to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of his birth centenary.
“Bangabandhu is the creator of independent Bangladesh and his role in building up the psyche and spirit of the Bengali nation is unparalleled. He is the first person to begin the movement for establishing Bangla as the state language in 1948. Later, Bangabandhu inaugurated national ‘Bangla Literature Conference’ for the first time at the premises of Bangla Academy in 1974,” the president said.
In her message the prime minister said: “I am glad to know that ‘Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2020’ is being organized like every year and I send my greetings and felicitations to Bangla Academy, local and foreign publishers and all concerned,” the PM said in a press release.
“This year’s book fair will be dedicated to the greatest Bengali of all time and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of Mujib Borsho,” she added.
“From today [Sunday], the Bangla Academy has started publishing 100 new books in phases on the life and works of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his birth centenary and the most attractive of them is a new book written by Bangabandhu named ‘Amar Dekha Noya Chin,” she said.
Two honorary guests - Indian poet Shankha Ghosh and Egyptian writer and poet Mohsen Al Arishi are expected to grace the opening ceremony.
Bangla Academy Director General Habibullah Siraji will deliver the welcome speech at the inaugural ceremony.
The main attraction of the inauguration ceremony is the official publication of the third book written by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, titled "Amar Dekha Naya Chin" (The New China as I Saw).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the daughter of Bangabandhu, will unveil the cover of the book.
Like the previous years, the venue of the fair has been extended to the nearby Suhrawardy Udyan with some changes.
This year, the little magazine chattar has been moved to the main fair premises at Suhrawardy Udyan.
This year, the land earmarked for the fair has been expanded to 8,00,000 square ft. A total of 873 units have been allocated to 560 organizations.
The authorities have allotted 179 units at the Bangla Academy ground to 126 organizations, and 694 units at the Suhrawardy Udyan to 434 organizations. Moreover, a total of 34 pavilions have been allocated this year.
Bangla Academy has made arrangements to display and sell the books by small publishing companies and individuals who have published books at 25 percent commission in the stall of the National Book Centre.
Bangla Academy will also organize a "Shishu Chattar" this year, where children can enjoy "Shishu Prahar" (children time) during the fair.
A stage for holding publication ceremonies and programs to unveil covers of the books has been set up at Suhrawardy Udyan.
Awards will be handed over to the publishing houses on the closing day of the fair. The "Chittaranjan Saha Smriti Puraskar" will be awarded for the publication of a good number of quality books in the fair, while the "Munir Chowdhury Smriti Puraskar" will be given for the aesthetic design.
The "Rokonuzzaman Khan Dadabhai Smriti Puraskar" will be awarded for publishing excellent books for kids, while the "Qayyum Chowdhury Smriti Puraskar" will be given for the best interior design of the stalls.
Publishers from across the country will come to the fair with a wide variety of books, while Bangla Academy will exhibit around 200 newly-printed and reprinted books.
There will be strict security arrangements in and around the book fair venue to avoid any unpleasant incident during the fair.
The fair will remain open from 3pm to 9pm from Sundays to Thursdays; and from 11am to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. On February 21, the fair will remain open from 8am to 8pm.