After multiple postponements, uncertainties surrounding the national elections, and a range of disagreements among stakeholders, the much-anticipated Amar Ekushey Book Fair is finally set to open today, Thursday, in the spiritual ambiance of the holy month of Ramadan. Unlike the traditional month-long schedule, this year’s fair will span 18 days, running from 26 February to 15 March. Despite the challenges, organisers at Bangla Academy are optimistic that the annual celebration of Bengali language, literature, and thought will reach its full vibrancy through the spontaneous participation of publishers, authors, and readers alike.
At 2:00 pm, the fair will be formally inaugurated at Bangla Academy by Prime Minister Tarek Rahman, who will also present the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025 during the ceremony. Following the inauguration, the Prime Minister will tour the fairground to engage with exhibitors and visitors.
Earlier in the day, at 11:00 am, Prime Minister Tarek Rahman will confer the Ekushey Padak 2026, the nation’s highest civilian honour, at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. The ceremony will be attended by members of the Cabinet, senior civil and military officials, distinguished guests, and the awardees themselves. The Padak recognises individuals who have made exemplary contributions across diverse fields of national life.
Traditionally, the book fair opens on the first day of February each year. However, this year’s schedule underwent multiple revisions due to political developments and disagreements among publishers regarding participation. Eventually, the government facilitated full participation by waiving stall fees, while pavilions will not be included, allowing the fair to commence at the end of February with the consensus of all stakeholders.
The delay, while challenging for the publishing industry, has also heightened readers’ anticipation. Publishers report that despite a shorter timeframe, enthusiasm for new releases remains undiminished, with post-election social realities providing fresh perspectives for literary content.
Programme Highlights of the Fair
| Event | Date & Time | Key Participants |
|---|---|---|
| Ekushey Padak 2026 Ceremony | 26 Feb, 11:00 am | Prime Minister, awardees, ministers, officials |
| Book Fair Inauguration & Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025 | 26 Feb, 2:00 pm | Prime Minister, Bangla Academy DG Prof. Mohammad Azam, cultural minister, invited dignitaries |
| Daily Fair Hours | 26 Feb – 15 Mar | 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm (entry closes at 8:30 pm) |
| Special Holiday Hours | Weekends | 11:00 am onwards |
| Activities | Daily | Book launches, discussions, poetry readings, author-reader dialogues, cultural performances, children’s programs |
The fairground at Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan has already been transformed into a festive hub, hosting over a hundred stalls from publishers nationwide. Beyond the new releases, visitors can look forward to lively discussions, poetry recitals, interactive sessions with authors, cultural performances, and tailored programmes for children and adolescents.
A pre-inauguration visit to the fairground yesterday revealed bustling preparations and an unmistakable celebratory atmosphere, signalling that the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 is poised to deliver both literary richness and cultural vibrancy, despite its delayed start.