Md. Moniruzzaman :
Huge Crowds marked the last Friday of the Ekushey Book Fair with the largest gathering of readers, visitors, writers and publishers.
Policemen guarded the three entry points to ensure security of the book fair premises and the people of all sections.
Shishu Prohor was specially dedicated to children from 10:00 am to 1.00 pm on Friday to murmur on with large number of children.
Stalls representative and publisher were passing busy time to explain the core concepts of books to inspire boys and girls, men and women, and kids to buy books.
Publishers said, they ‘wait for Friday’. It was last Friday of the 2022 edition of the book fair. Overall sales were satisfactory.
Habibur Rahman, the publisher of Jinious Publication, said, “Friday is one of the busy days for stall, attendants and publishers. This year’s sales are much better than other years. Those who come at the fair toward the ends, they buy books more.”
Neepa, a stall attendant of Tamralipi Publication, said, “We are happy with the exhibition and for reasonable sales of books since morning. The crowd were much larger than on other Fridays.”
On the 25th consecutive days of the fair, 312 new books were published. A discussion was held titled “The role of recitation in the formation of aesthetic society” presided over by Poet Jahidul Haque at 4.00 pm.
‘Shishu Prohor’, a dedicated hour for children, was a special attraction on the day.
Popular characters from Sisimpur, a children’s TV series meant for learning with joy, performed at the venue to entertain children.
One visitor Atiq Marjuq accompanied his kids to introduce them with books beyond their academic syllabus.
Actually, visitors must wear a facemask to protect themselves from dust. It also helps contain the spread of coronavirus.
Many book lovers do not want to miss the event this time as it did not sit last year.The growing number of visitors also clocked better sales for most publishers.
Publishers expressed satisfaction with the overall arrangement of the fair spreading in a large area of Suhrawardy Udyan in addition to the Bangla Academy compound.
The fair, which has been extended to March 17, is open to book-lovers between 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm daily, while gates remain open from 11:00 am on holidays.
