Muktodhara Publishing House under the initiative of Chittaranjan Saha had started a little sale in front of Bangla Academy on 21 February 1972. Later, other book publishers joined there. Bangla Academy took over charge of the Fair in 1978. In 1984, it was named Amar Ekushey Book Fair. Apart from book selling, the literary and cultural events are also organized there. The visitors gather at Nazrul Manch, a corner dedicated to Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. Besides, many go to Lekhok Kunjo, a dedicated place for writers. In fact, this book fair is the cultural reunion of Bangladesh which is attended by every person who is related to book publishing and writing. In 2014, the authorities extended the territory of the Fair up to Suhrawardy Udyan to accommodate a huge number of visitors.
Though Bangladesh is the land of fairs and festivals, the importance of Ekushey Fair is tremendous. The Ekushey Boi Mela had started merely as a book fair. But it later evolved into a national cultural festival of the Bengali nation. Undoubtedly, the Fair plays a key role in development of Bengali language and literature. For the decades, this fair has also been working as a dominating factor in advancement of our glorious heritage, culture and intellectual ability.
From the past experience it is expected that the authorities will be careful to exclude books of so-called free thinkers who think hurting religious sentiments will make them intellectuals. The idea of free thinkers is abhorrent. All thinkers are free thinkers in their own field. This should not be the responsibility of the police to judge which books are appropriate for the Book Fair.
