Some of the book stalls this year are among the biggest attractions at the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela. Not because of the books they are selling, but because of how they have been decorated.
University Press Limited (UPL) stole the show at the fair this year, with their pavilion made of a mammoth-sized stack of books. Customers literally enter the pages of the books to enter their stall.
Such pavilions – creatively designed and standing out from the rest – definitely add to the spirit of the book fair. People are definitely more drawn to them, and some often stand by, admiring them.
Yesterday, during a visit to the fair, this correspondent saw a group of friends outside UPL’ s store, observing its structure.
A total of 11 pavilions don the fair this year, in both Bangla Academy grounds and Suhrawardy Uddyan. They all showcase various themes, including our traditions, and pay tribute to our language martyrs. The fair authorities introduced this aspect of the fair for the first time this year.
The renowned publication houses that were allocated pavilions are Anya Prakash, Anupam, Mawla Brothers, Sahitya Prakash, Agamee Prakashani, Pathak Samabesh, Samay Prakashan, Kakli Prakashani, and Ananya.
Pathak Samabesh has three doors for visitors who can enter from different directions, thus making it more accessible from different sides. Shahitya Prakash maintained a theme of rural Bangladesh, while Anya Prakash built their stall on two-storeys with a giant-sized laughing poster of Humayun Ahmed that gleefully welcomes the visitors.
Not only are the pavilions decorative, they also cater to the visitors’ comfort.
Sumaiya Khan, a book lover and a student at Buet, said: “The pavilions look good. And even better is that they are reader friendly.”
Even some publishing houses that were not allocated pavilions worked on the appearance of their stalls. Children’s stalls took on different themes to cater to their audience. Sisimpur’s stall donned various comic characters and boasted some Halum and Tuktukis in front of the stall. Many children were seen playing with these characters before going ahead to select their books for purchase.
Muktadhara put a replica of the Shahid Minar on top of their stall under the big Banyan tree at Bangla Academy.
Fair Committee Secretary Jalal Ahmed said this time visitors were impressed to see the new look of the fair.
“We have worked hard to make the fair more friendly for all,” he added.
Overall, the fair has picked up energy since the last week, when it was still attracting fewer people due to the political turmoil. Although the rain hampered the fair energy a bit, the enthusiasm of the book lovers eventually reigned.
At least 77 new books arrived yesterday, putting the total number at 2,386. Today, on the 20th day of the fair, there will be a final phase of the children’s recitation competition at 10am, followed with a discussion on language movement veteran Abdul Matin at 4pm.
