The month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 concludes today, Sunday, bringing to a close one of Bangladesh’s most significant cultural and literary gatherings. Held annually in honour of the martyrs of the Language Movement of 1952, the fair has become a central platform for celebrating Bengali literature, publishing, and intellectual discourse. On its final day, the fair will open to visitors at 2:00 pm and remain open until 9:00 pm.
The closing ceremony is scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm on the main stage. The programme will commence with a welcome address by Professor Mohammad Azam, Director General of Bangla Academy, the institution responsible for organising the fair. During the event, Dr Md Selim Reza, Member Secretary of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 committee, will present the official closing report. The report is expected to highlight key statistics of this year’s fair, including the number of participating publishers, newly published books, and overall visitor turnout.
The event will be attended by several senior government officials and cultural figures. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury will attend as the chief guest, while State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khaiyam will be present as a special guest. Md Mofidur Rahman, Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, will deliver a goodwill speech. The ceremony will be chaired by Professor Abul Kasem Fazlul Huq, President of Bangla Academy.
Every year, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair honours outstanding contributions to literature, publishing, translation, and book design through a series of prestigious awards. These awards recognise individuals and institutions that have played a significant role in advancing Bengali literature and publishing. As in previous years, five notable memorial awards will be presented during the closing ceremony.
The awards to be conferred include those commemorating leading literary and cultural figures who have left a lasting impact on Bangladesh’s literary heritage.
| Award Name | Field of Recognition |
|---|---|
| Chittaranjan Saha Memorial Award | Excellence in publishing and book production |
| Munier Chowdhury Memorial Award | Creative literature |
| Rokonuzzaman Khan Dadabhai Memorial Award | Children’s literature |
| Sardar Jayen Uddin Memorial Award | Literary translation |
| Artist Qayyum Chowdhury Memorial Award | Book cover and design |
The Amar Ekushey Book Fair, organised by Bangla Academy, has evolved into the country’s largest annual literary event since its informal beginnings in the early 1970s. It commemorates the Language Movement, which ultimately led to the recognition of Bangla as a state language in the then-Pakistan and later became a defining symbol of Bangladesh’s cultural identity.
Throughout the month of February, the fair attracts thousands of readers, writers, publishers, and cultural enthusiasts from across the country. Major publishing houses typically release a large number of new titles during the event, making it a key moment in the national publishing calendar. Literary discussions, poetry recitations, book launches, children’s programmes, and cultural performances are also integral components of the fair.
Although the gates of the fair will close tonight, organisers believe its impact extends far beyond the event itself. By fostering dialogue between writers and readers and encouraging the growth of the publishing industry, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair continues to play a vital role in nurturing Bangladesh’s literary culture and preserving the legacy of the Language Movement.