The attendance of couples at the Dhaka International Trade Fair is evidently adding dynamism to the annual fair, increasing revenues for traders in the process.
From teenagers to young adults, the fair is offering quality space and ample opportunity to spend time together, and all this, while visiting the stalls and pavilions.
Given the 32-acred fair area, in an average it takes two to three hours to walk from one end to the other, while the presence of an entertainment center to catch a movie or enjoy various rides is also there.
Safwan, a student of Dhaka’s Adamjee Cantonment College, came to the fair with his girlfriend after their classes had finished for the day. They were able to enter the fair at a revised fare for students - Tk20, instead of Tk30 for adults.
This allowed them to go through the fair, visit various stalls, during which he bought a necklace and an anklet for her.
Imroz Ahmed, with his newly-married wife came from Ibrahimpur, Dhaka. Both students of Dhaka University, they had previously come to the fair last year along with their friends, but this year they came to visit the fair as life partners.
Moon, along with her boyfriend Zabin, came all the way from Gazipur to experience what it is like visiting the fair among a sea of other couples.
Although they planned on shopping and eating together, they added it was better than spending time at parks and open spaces as, at the fair premises they can easily evade relatives or people they know.
Shahrin came with her three friends, all students of National Ideal School in Motijheel. They said the fair is an ideal place to hang out and spend leisure time.
Senior citizens are also making a point to visit the fair. Abdus Salam, 60, and his wife Sharifa Begum, coming from Jatrabari, shared with the Dhaka Tribune their experiences at village fairs decades ago.
“Now we can only hope for such colourful fairs, which DITF is offering as some respite,” he said.
Rafiqul Islam, another student of Dhaka University, surmised with his girlfriend that the food prices were very expensive .
Robin Molla, a hawker selling coffee, said that couples were his main customers. “The more couples, the better sales for me.”
An artist was also seen with his creative trade, sketching artworks of couples between Tk300-1,000.
“Not only are my artworks cherished, but business also picks up when couples are at the fair,” he said.
Another vendor, Rahim, was seen shouting for customers to sell his “Love Birds” figurines, made of plastic. Those were also an object of attraction among the couples.