The Chittagong Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2022 will begin in the port city on Sunday.
The fair, organized by the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC), will be inaugurated at 3pm at the gymnasium ground of MA Aziz Stadium and will continue till March 10.
Traditionally held from February 1, the fair has been delayed this year due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
CCC Councilor Nisar Uddin Ahmed Monju, convener of the fair, confirmed the matter at a media call on the fair premises on Friday.
“A total of 150 stalls were allotted last year. This year, we have arranged space for around 120 stalls to accommodate well-renowned publishing houses in Chittagong and Dhaka,” he said.
All preparations including construction of stalls had already been completed, he added.
“This year's fair will have some special features like Bangabandhu corner, women writer's corner, children's corner and free Wi-Fi zones,” Nisar Uddin said.
“In addition, another corner is being set up, where authors will have the opportunity to talk about their books on the day of publication. The authors will be able to comment on their books any time during the scheduled time of the fair,” he added.
The 21-day fair will be held from 3pm to 9pm every day, and from 10am to 9pm on weekends.
The entire fair venue will be under CCTV coverage. Volunteers will be on duty along with the law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order, according to the organizers.
President of Creative Publishers Council Shah Alam Nipu, General Secretary of Professional Coordinating Council Riaz Haider Chowdhury, researcher Jamal Uddin, poets Ovik Osman and Kamrul Hasan Badal, and General Secretary of Creative Publishers Council Ali Prayas were present at the press conference.
