The month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair concluded on the premises of Bangla Academy and at the Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Tuesday, marking the first successful edition of the fair after the Covid-19 pandemic since 2020.
This year, the fair closed with an estimated grand total of sales of Tk 47 crore, which is inferior in comparison to Tk 52.50 crore last year. However, the 2022 edition started on February 15 due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation and concluded on the Birth Anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, making the total duration of record 31 days.
A closing ceremony was organised at Bangla Academy in the evening, chaired by Bangla Academy Chairperson novelist Selina Hossain. State minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid joined the closing ceremony as chief guest.
Bangla Academy director general Mohammad Nurul Huda delivered the welcome speech while cultural affairs secretary Abul Monsur joined the ceremony as the special guest.
Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2023 organising committee secretary KM Muzahidul Islam delivered the sales report on the book fair.
"Standing at the closing of this year's book fair, we can say that it has been celebrated with joy and enthusiasm. A book fair is not just a random place where books are sold. Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2023, the fair of everyone irrespective of party, creed, religion, caste - has been successful with the active participation and cooperation of all," KM Khalid said at the closing ceremony.
Novelist Selina Hossain said, "Amar Ekushey Book Fair organized by Bangla Academy is a big horizon in our national life. Through reading books, humanistic philosophy will be awakened in the youth of the new generation, which will eventually lead us towards Bangabandhu's Bangladesh."
A grand total of 3730 new books hit this year's fair, according to Bangla Academy.
The territory of this year’s book fair covered a total of 11,50,000 square feet area. A total of 901 units were allocated to 601 organizations for this year’s book fair, compared to 776 units to 534 organizations last year.
165 units were allocated to 112 organizations on the Bangla Academy premises and 736 units were allocated to 489 organizations at Suhrawardy Udyan.