A five-day book fair in memory of Shaheed Abu Sayed, a student from the 12th batch of the English Department at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR), will begin on Tuesday.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Showkat Ali disclosed this information to local reporters at a press conference held at the university's administrative building on Sunday.
The book fair will be held at the Independence Memorial Ground on the university campus from Tuesday to Saturday, organized at the initiative of the university administration.
Abu Sayed was martyred in police firing on July 16 last year while participating in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in front of the university.
His martyrdom instantly ignited mass protests across the country, transforming the anti-discrimination student movement into a nationwide student-people uprising that ultimately led to the ousting of the then fascist and mass killer prime minister Sheikh Hasina, forcing her to flee the country on August 5.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Showkat Ali said that this book fair will mark the beginning of a cultural journey for the new Bangladesh, achieved through the sacrifice of Abu Sayed.
"Every year, the history, traditions, and culture of the northern region will be presented to the entire nation through this book fair," he said, adding that it will play a vital role in fostering a reading habit among people, as well as connecting writers and readers.
For those who cannot visit the Amar Ekushey Book Fair in Dhaka due to time and distance constraints, the Shaheed Abu Sayed Book Fair will offer an excellent opportunity to buy and read books, he added.
The vice-chancellor further mentioned that although the book fair is being organized for a short period this year, it will be held for an extended duration in the future.
The five-day event will also feature discussions, interactive sessions between writers and readers, poetry recitations, and cultural programs.
"Renowned journalist and editor of Daily Amar Desh, Mahmudur Rahman, and Editor of Daily Jugantor, Abdul Hye Sikder, along with other poets, writers, and intellectuals, will participate as discussants in the book fair," he said.
