At the start of February — the month of language — the familiar bustle of readers and writers was strikingly absent from the Bangla Academy premises and Suhrawardy Udyan this year.
The colourful publisher stalls, rickshaws and vans stacked with books, and the lively gatherings and debates of writers and poets were nowhere to be seen at the fair venue.
However, in an effort to preserve tradition, some publishers set up a handful of book stalls under the open sky with chairs and tables, which became known as the "Amar Ekushey Symbolic Book Fair."
On Sunday morning, Bangla Academy President Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq and Dipa Dutta, a left-wing leader and one of the key organizers of the 1969 Mass Uprising, inaugurated this symbolic book fair at the Bangla Academy premises.
Although distinguished educator Emeritus Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury was scheduled to inaugurate the event, organizers reported he was unable to attend due to illness.
In her inaugural speech, Dipa Dutta said that when people in this country think of book fairs, they think of Bengali culture itself.
"At one time, there were attempts to destroy this culture, and those attempts continue even now. This symbolic arrangement represents an effort to maintain the tradition of the book fair that began in 1964-65 with the National Book Centre. Even in the absence of crowds, publishers have tried to maintain the colorful identity of the fair, which serves as an inspiration for language and literature lovers."
Dipa Dutta also referred to the book fair as "an expression of Bengali culture."
Referring to recent attacks on Udichi, Chhayanaut and others, Dipa Dutta said: "These attacks prove that a reactionary group is active in the country that wants to destroy the spirit of the Language Movement and Bengali culture. Since the book fair expanded to Suhrawardy Udyan, attacks on the fair have begun, which have become more severe since last year."
Bangla Academy President Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haq was present as a guest at the symbolic book fair's inauguration. He said the significance of the book fair has grown even greater now.
"The continuity of this fair must be maintained. This year, the book fair has been postponed somewhat due to the election. While we have accepted the decision, an emotional regret remains. It is from that regret that this symbolic book fair has been organized."
Abul Kasem Fazlul Huq further stated: "The book fair will continue, and there will be a month-long book fair again."
The Udichi cultural organization performed at the inaugural ceremony, with performances by the "Bibhartan" dance group and many individual artists at the closing ceremony.
Saeed Bari, joint convener of the Ekushey Book Fair Action Council and president of the Creative Book Publishers' Association, delivered the welcome speech at the event.
Additional speeches were given by Delwar Hasan, general secretary of the Creative Book Publishers' Association, publisher Syed Zakir Hussain, and others. Mofizur Rahman, joint convener of the Ekushey Book Fair Action Council, presided over the event.
Jamshed Anwar Tapan, general secretary of Udichi and one of the organizers of the symbolic book fair, told the Dhaka Tribune that a total of 52 publishers had set up stalls at the event.
Publishers participating in the book fair included Anya Prakash, Kakoli Prokashoni, Adorn Publication, Jagriti, Natun Diganta, Akash, Suchipatra, Abishkar, Bibharthan Cultural Centre, Anupam Prokashoni, Pathak Somabesh, Anindya Prakash, Chhaabbithi, Kaumudi Prokashoni, and several other publishing houses.
On December 18 last year, Chhayanaut, Prothom Alo, and The Daily Star were attacked and set on fire.
The following day, the Udichi office was also set ablaze.
Next to the Udichi stall, alongside books, items damaged and burned in that day's attack—including books, guitars, tablas, and several other musical instruments—have also been displayed.
