Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 will open on February 20, departing from the long-standing tradition of starting on February 1, the organizing committee announced Thursday.
Dr Md Selim Reza, member secretary of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 Organizing Committee, made the announcement at a press conference at the Shaheed Munir Chowdhury Auditorium of Bangla Academy.
Reading from a written statement, he said the new date was decided “in light of the overall reality” and urged publishers with differing opinions to participate despite potential challenges.
Earlier this week, publishers held a press conference at the National Press Club, demanding the fair be held after Eid-ul-Fitr, saying this reflected the majority view. The organizers said holding the fair after Eid would be impractical, as April brings severe heat, dust pollution, and a high likelihood of rain and nor ’westers (kalbaishakhi), making a month-long fair unrealistic.
The fair will run daily from 2pm to 9pm. In response to publishers’ concerns, stall rents have been reduced by 25% compared to last year. Bartaman Bangla Limited has been appointed as the event management firm, Suhrawardy Udyan has been allocated by the government, stall construction is underway, discussion sessions and cultural programs have been finalized, and invitations have been sent to potential speakers and essayists.
According to the organizers, 527 institutions that participated last year and 53 new applicants sought stalls. Considering space limits, 527 previous participants and 24 new institutions have been selected. Additionally, 56 institutions applied for larger stalls, and more than 100 government and non-government organizations have applied to participate.
Dr Mohammad Azam, director general of Bangla Academy and president of the organizing committee, told reporters that “all aspects of the fair will continue as planned, and the schedule has been or will be revised in consultation with all concerned stakeholders.”
