Booksellers and publishers are hoping that the Amar Ekushey Book Fair will come alive from February 14, as Valentine's Day tends to be one of its busiest days.
The month-long book fair has already completed its first week, but book sales remain low. However, sellers are not worried yet as they have seen that it usually takes about two weeks before visitors start coming in earnest, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Asrar Masud, proprietor of Progoti Publisher, told Dhaka Tribune: “The crowds of real readers and buyers usually begins from February 15 and crowds tend to increase after that. Valentine's Day will be followed by Mother Language Day on February 21, and the fair will become full and colourful on these festival days.”
AKM Tariqul Islam Roni, publisher of Tamralipi, said: “It cannot be said that the number of visitors at the fair is less, because the beginning of the fair has been better this year compared to last year. People are also coming more than before. But we are waiting for Friday for sales to pick up.”
The organizing committee of the fair said that more than three hundred CCTV cameras have been arranged throughout the fair area for security. This year's book fair has been declared as being polythene and smoke free.
The venue and format of the fair has also changed this year, adding more new publishers and stalls. The number of pavilions in 2022 was 35. This time there are 38 pavilions.
KM Mujahidul Islam, member secretary of Amar Ekushey Book Fair committee, said that the stalls have been arranged geometrically this time, so the arrangement is different from previous fairs.
Writers, publishers, and visitors said the stall format has made the fair feel a little congested this year, but they are happy to have everything in close proximity.
Visitor Shazad Ahmed Ayan told Dhaka Tribune: “My girlfriend and I come to the book fair every year. We go around for a month and buy our favourite books. This year, it is nice that all the small stalls are close by and can easily be found.”
Kakoli Prakashani publisher AK Nasir Ahmed Selim said: “It is easy to see all the pavilions from the centre. This has been advantageous for smaller stalls.”
A seller at Kakoli Prakashani said: “If there is a crowd of 10 people at a big stall, a small stall nearby has at least 2-3 customers going there. In previous years, some visitors would turn back after getting to the middle, and stalls on the far side would not be visited.”
Publishers have said that the price of books has increased slightly due to recent increases in the price of paper. Although this has not affected the number of books published, some visitors complained about the higher price.
Milan Kanti Nath, publisher of Anupam Prakashani, said: “The supplier says import of paper has stopped, and the price of paper has increased by 50%. Furthermore, the price of printing and binding has increased by 20-30%. The price of books has increased as a result. Consumers are also realizing this, as prices of everything across the country have increased.”
Due to the location of the metro rail station, the main entrance of the fair has been moved a little as compared to last year, with the temple gate being used as the main entrance, on the opposite side of the main entrance of Bangla Academy.
