Dhaka, Feb 24 (V7N)- The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 is set to begin on Thursday, February 26, with the theme ‘Multidimensional Bangladesh’. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the fair at 2 pm.

Fair Duration and Timings

The fair will run until March 15. Daily opening hours will be 2 pm to 9 pm, with entry allowed until 8:30 pm. On holidays, the fair will operate from 11 am to 9 pm.

Participation

A total of 549 publishing houses are participating this year, with 81 stalls at Bangla Academy and 468 at Suhrawardy Udyan, totaling 1,018 units. The Little Magazine Square will feature 87 publications, while the Children’s Square will host 63 organizations and 107 units.

Cultural and Thematic Programs

  • Thematic seminars will be held daily from 3 pm to 4 pm, followed by cultural programs from 4 pm to 5 pm.

  • Children’s Hour will take place every Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 1 pm, featuring drawing, recitation, and music competitions.

  • During Ramadan, arrangements will be made for Surah Tarawih prayers at Suhrawardy Udyan.

Facilities and Security

  • Food stalls are arranged near the engineering institution boundaries.

  • Bangla Academy and other institutions will sell books at 25% commission, while government institutions will follow their prescribed rates.

  • New book cover unveiling events will be conducted at Suhrawardy Udyan.

  • Archways, police, RAB, Ansar, and intelligence agencies will ensure security.

  • The fair is polythene- and smoke-free, with CCTV coverage for additional safety.

Awards

Several awards will be presented:

  • Chittaranjan Saha Memorial Award – Best quality book (2025 publications)

  • Munir Chowdhury Memorial Award – Top 3 institutions for artistic book quality

  • Roknuzzaman Khan Dadabhai Memorial Award – Best children’s book quality

  • Qayyum Chowdhury Memorial Award – Best stall decoration

  • Sardar Zainuddin Memorial Award – Newly introduced for first-time participating publishers (2024-2026)

Bartaman Bangla Limited has been appointed as the managing partner of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026.

This year’s fair promises a blend of literature, culture, and community engagement, reflecting Bangladesh’s diverse and rich literary heritage.

END/SMA/AJ