New York, May 20 (V7N) — The 35th New York International Bangla Book Fair, one of the largest literary and cultural gatherings of the Bengali diaspora, is set to begin on Friday, May 22, in New York under the slogan “More Books, More Life (Joto Boi Toto Pran).”
The four-day event will continue through May 25 at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in Queens, bringing together renowned writers, researchers, publishers, and cultural personalities from Bangladesh, India, and North America.
Organized by Muktadhara Foundation, the annual fair has already created excitement among expatriate Bengalis across the United States and beyond.
Muktadhara Foundation CEO Biswajit Saha said all preparations for the “35th New York International Bangla Book Fair 2026” have been completed successfully. He noted that books from publishing houses in Bangladesh, India, and North America have already arrived at the venue, while preparations for stalls, stage arrangements, souvenir publications, lighting, and cultural programs are now in their final stages.
Prominent novelist Imdadul Haq Milon will inaugurate the fair, while internationally acclaimed economist Professor Rehman Sobhan will attend as the chief guest. Distinguished personalities including Rounaq Jahan and Faridur Reza Sagar are also expected to join as special guests.
According to organizers, many invited writers, poets, and researchers have already arrived in New York. Among them are Sadat Hossain, Subodh Sarkar, Lutfor Rahman Riton, Shamim Reza, and Ruma Modak, along with several other noted literary figures.
A large number of well-known publishing houses from Bangladesh and Kolkata will participate in the fair, including Anannya, University Press Limited (UPL), Prothoma Prokashan, BDNews24 Publications, Ahmed Publishers, and Ityadi Grantha Prokash.
Dr. Nazrul Islam, convener of the organizing committee, said this year’s fair will feature an extensive collection of newly released books, research publications, diaspora literature, and children’s books, making it especially attractive to readers of all ages.
According to the event schedule, the fair will host book sales, book launch ceremonies, literary discussions, poetry recitations, children’s programs, cultural performances, and interactive sessions between writers and readers from morning until late evening each day.
Special discussions will also focus on Bangla literature, world literature, expatriate culture, and the reading habits of the younger generation.
What began in 1992 as a small literary gathering has now evolved into the largest international Bangla book fair in North America.
Organizers said the central goal of this year’s event is to further strengthen the global reach of Bangla language, literature, and culture through the fair’s theme, “More Books, More Life (Joto Boi Toto Pran).”
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