In one of his children's books, the versatile writer Humayun Azad beautifully wrote: “Lamps illuminate the pages of books and the pages whisper dreams."
To ignite these dreams within young minds, a special morning program titled “Shishu Prohor” (Fridays and Saturdays) has been designated for children during the month-long book fair.
The main gate of the book fair was opened at 9am and within an hour the Bangla Academy premise was buzzing with enthusiastic children and their parents.
Immediately after the start of the program, the children were seen delighted with the performances of their beloved characters Halum, Tuktuki, Shiku, and Ikri from the popular television serial Sisimpur.
After the children's program ended at 12pm, they started looking for books, holding the hands of their guardians. With eager eyes, the small readers were seen looking for their favourite books in the stalls.
Some of them were looking for comics, some for fairy tales, and some for science fiction.
Israt Mim, a grade II student at a school in Dhaka, came to the book fair with her father from Motijheel in the capital.
She excitedly shared that she had bought three books -- two English storybooks and one Bangla fairy tale.
With a bright smile, this young reader said: "I came to the fair with my father. I saw Sisimpur, and I'm thrilled. Now, I'm buying books, and I love storybooks."
Huzaifa Ibnat Raya, a grade II student of YWCA Junior Girls' High School, went to visit the book fair with her uncle. He said they came from the capital's West Raja Bazar area.
She said she came to the book fair on Saturday for the first time and enjoyed the show by Sisimpur characters.
She added that her favorite genres were horror and fairytales.
Shahin, a salesman at Dhaka Comics stall, said: "Today is the third day of the fair. The crowd of children at the fair is satisfactory, it feels good. However, the sales are not that good. Most of them open books and leave.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday inaugurated the month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2024 for the 21st time at the Bangla Academy in Dhaka.
The Bangla Academy is organizing the world's largest annual book fair on its and Suhrawardy Udyan's premises with the theme "Poro Boi, Goro Desh: Bangabandhu’r Bangladesh (Read books, build country: Bangabandhu's Bangladesh) this year.
It will remain open for all from 3pm to 9pm on working days and 11am to 9pm on public holidays with a one-hour break for lunch and prayers.
