Dhaka, Jan 28 (V7N) — The countdown to the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025 has begun, with this year’s theme set as "July Uprising: Building a New Bangladesh." The month-long fair will be inaugurated on February 1 by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to the interim government.

Final preparations are in full swing at Suhrawardy Udyan and Bangla Academy premises. Workers are busy constructing stalls and pavilions as publishers and organizers gear up for one of the country’s most anticipated cultural events. Approximately 600 organizations are expected to participate this year, a noticeable increase from previous years.

The fair will operate daily from 3 PM to 9 PM, and from 11 AM to 9 PM on holidays. On February 21, the fair will open early, from 7 AM to 9 PM, to mark International Mother Language Day.

Key features like the New Book Unveiling Stage and the Author Talk Stage will return, providing platforms for book launches and interactive sessions between authors and readers. Publishers will offer a 25% discount on all books, adhering to Bangla Academy's policies.

Despite the enthusiasm, the fair has been clouded by controversies. Three creative publishers' organizations went on a symbolic hunger strike, and debates have erupted on social media over demands to blacklist 18 publishing houses. Additionally, the Bangla Academy Literary Awards have been postponed after the announcement of nominees sparked criticism.

The Bangla Academy announced the nominees for its 2024 Literary Awards on January 23, but backlash quickly followed. Critics highlighted the absence of female writers and raised concerns over the selection process. Cultural Advisor Mostafa Sarwar Farooqui suspended the awards on January 25, citing complaints about some nominees.

In a Facebook post, Farooqui called for reforms, saying, “The country will be reformed, why not the Bangla Academy?” He pledged to overhaul the nomination process and ensure transparency in future awards.

Protests erupted outside Bangla Academy, with groups demanding accountability and reform. Meanwhile, novelist Selim Morshed, one of the original awardees, rejected the award, stating he had not been consulted beforehand. He expressed his discontent in a Facebook post, writing, “I humbly decline this award. Others will surely find better writers in fiction than me.”

As the fair approaches, organizers hope to shift focus back to its cultural significance and away from the controversies overshadowing this year’s event.

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