For the love of books

The Gulshan Society recently organized the second edition of its own Book Fair at the Gulshan Society Lake Park in Dhaka.

The society first organized the fair in 2020 with the aim of providing an option closer to home for people who could not commute to the Amar Ekushey Book Fair at Bangla Academy.

Organizers of the second book fair of Gulshan Society in early March in Dhaka Dhaka Tribune

The fair was not held in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a press release.

This year’s fair was planned and executed by Gulshan Society Secretary General Barrister Shukla Sarwat Siraj and Organizing Committee Convener Shayaan Seraj.

A painting by a child shows the book fair in their eyes and their love for books Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

Bengal Boi, University Press Limited, Bookworm, Battighor, Muktijodha Jadughor, Asiatic Society Ignite, Cosmos, and CRI were among the publishers at the Gulshan Society Book Fair, held on March 4 and 5, read the release.

Representatives of the publishers said they saw strong sales at the fair and were keen to participate in more Gulshan Society events.

A painting by a child shows the book fair in their eyes and their love for books Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

Various programs were arranged during the two-day event, including a live reading of Zeena Choudhury’s “Church Bells and Darjeeling Tea” and an animated discussion between award-winning author Sudeep Chakravarti and Dhaka Tribune Editor Zafar Sobhan.

Sudeep Chakravarti also enchanted the audience with a live reading of “The Bengalis.” 

A painting by a child shows the book fair in their eyes and their love for books Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

The Dhaka Tribune stall at the fair displayed various caricatures and offered the opportunity to colour massive cut-outs of the Bangla alphabet, making it a hit among children.

Fair organizer Shayaan Seraj said: “It is important to bring young people out to a festive environment.

The two-day fair was visited by nearly 2,000 people Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune

“We exceeded our own expectations this time, with around 1,800 people attending over the two days.”

The intimate book fair was a blessing for the neighbourhood as people did not have to brave traffic Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune

“It was really nice to see people of all ages enjoying the live music and interactive activities,” she added.

A young visitor at the Gulshan Society Book Fair scribbles her name in Dhaka in early March Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune

Gulshan Society member Aamer Choudhury said: “With the traffic today, it’s difficult to go to Bangla Academy. It’s nice to have an intimate Lit Fest inside Gulshan!”

Several VIPs and eminent personalities attended the event, including British High Commissioner Robert C Dickson.