Staff Reporter:
Leading publishers, writers, readers, and cultural figures have voiced deep concern over the growing uncertainty surrounding the organization of the 2026 Amar Ekushey Book Fair.
The concern was raised at a recent discussion titled “Book Fair in Times of Uncertainty: Author–Reader–Publisher Dialogue” held at the Poet Sufia Kamal Auditorium of the Bangladesh National Museum.
The event was organized by the Bangladesh Publishers and Booksellers Association (BAPUS).
Speakers said that the proposal to hold the next book fair after the national election is unrealistic as the election is expected to take place in the second week of February 2026 followed by Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr.
Under this timeline, they noted, it would be virtually impossible to organize the fair before April.
They also warned that the scorching heat and potential storms in April would make it difficult and un-safe to construct and operate the large-scale fair structures.
“The Amar Ekushey Book Fair is not just a commercial event, it is a symbol of Bangladesh’s freedom, language, and cultural identity,” the speakers said. “Any disruption to this fair would be tantamount to a cultural setback for the nation.”
The participants unanimously proposed that the 2026 edition of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair be organ-ised between December 17, 2025, and January 17, 2026, urging the government and Bangla Academy to take an early decision so that publishers, writers, and readers can make necessary preparations.
They also called on the Home and Cultural Affairs Advisers to coordinate security and logistics to en-sure the fair is held on time.
Speakers dismissed concerns about potential security threats, saying that such challenges can be effec-tively managed.
They added that no book fair in the country’s history has ever been cancelled due to violence or unrest, proving that the fair remains a symbol of unity and progress.
The discussion was chaired by Abu Bashar Firoz Sheikh, Convener of the BAPUS Book Fair Standing Committee.
Among others, BAPUS Vice-President Golam Elahi Zayed, publishers Moniruzzaman Khan (Sanchita) and Iftikhar Amin (Shabdoshaili) and writers Shibli Azad and Pulin Bokshi spoke at the event.
In a joint statement following the meeting, representatives of BAPUS, along with participating authors and readers, urged the government to ensure that the 2026 Amar Ekushey Book Fair is held “on time, safely, and with due dignity.”
“The book fair is not a matter of political or administrative delay – it is a festival of the nation’s intel-lect,” the statement said.
