A coalition of over three hundred creative publishers in Bangladesh has formally requested that the Amar Ekushe Boimela 2026 be rescheduled to commence after Eid-ul-Fitr. In a written petition submitted to the Director General of the Bangla Academy on Sunday, the publishers argued that the current proposal to begin the fair on 20 February is “divorced from reality” and poses an existential threat to the nation’s publishing industry.
The Conflict of Logistics and Faith
The crux of the publishers’ grievance lies in the overlap with the holy month of Ramadan. Historically, the book fair is the pinnacle of the literary calendar, but the 2026 schedule places the event squarely within a period of fasting, intense heat, and predictable urban congestion.
The publishers highlighted several key concerns:
Dwindling Footfall: There is a significant fear that readers will be unwilling to navigate severe traffic and high temperatures while fasting.
Operational Hardship: Bookstalls are typically staffed by university students. Publishers described the prospect of asking staff to work through Iftar and Taraweeh prayers after a full day of fasting as “inhumane.”
Economic Fragility: Following eighteen months of industrial stagnation, many publishing houses lack the capital to survive a commercially unsuccessful event.
Historical Precedents and Climate Risks
While the Bangla Academy has expressed concerns regarding the onset of the nor’wester storms and heavy rainfall common in April, the publishers remain undeterred. They pointed out that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the fair was successfully held in April. They asserted that they are far more willing to gamble on the weather than on the “guaranteed financial ruin” of a Ramadan schedule.
| Feature | February Schedule (Proposed) | Post-Eid Schedule (Demanded) |
| Timing | Starts 20 February | After Eid-ul-Fitr (Late March/April) |
| Audience | Likely low due to Ramadan | High festive turnout expected |
| Staffing | Difficult (fasting/prayers) | Full availability of student staff |
| Market Risk | High capital loss potential | Opportunity for recovery |
| Weather | Mild/Dry | Risk of seasonal storms |
A Firm Stand
The petition states unequivocally that if the authorities proceed with the February date, the publishers will be forced to boycott the event due to humanitarian and financial risks. They believe the book fair is not merely a bureaucratic exercise but a cultural festival that requires a festive, “unburdened” atmosphere to thrive.
The publishers have called upon the government’s policymakers and the Bangla Academy to prioritise the survival of the creative industry by choosing a date that ensures the spontaneous participation of authors, readers, and staff alike.