[🇧🇩] Ekushey Book Fair

[Saif]

EKUSHEY BOOK FAIR: Demand for non-fiction on rise

Publishers and stall managers said on Sunday at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025 that the number of readers of non-fiction was increasing day by day as the non-fiction books were in demand.

www.newagebd.net

EKUSHEY BOOK FAIR: Demand for non-fiction on rise
MA Aslam Molla 17 February, 2025, 01:01

New Age photo

Publishers and stall managers said on Sunday at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025 that the number of readers of non-fiction was increasing day by day as the non-fiction books were in demand.

They also said that after the student-led mass uprising, readers were searching for political and history related books at the fair.

The University Press Limited senior executive for sales Jarif Hossain said that they published more than 50 books in Bangla and English where most of the books are non-fiction.

‘Mostly students and academicians are readers of nonfiction, the number of which is increasing at the fair,’ said Jarif Hossain.

Tania, chief executive officer of Gronthik Prokashan said that out of 70 new books most of them are non-fiction and the demand for non-fiction was increasing among youths.

‘Not only at the fair, almost round the year readers collect non-fiction because it has deep relations with society, culture and education,’ said Tania.

Kathaprokash’s stall in-charge Jafirul Islam said that the number of readers of non-fiction was almost fixed as only those who conducted research searched books for non-fiction.

Prothoma Prokashan’s salesperson Mohammad Sohel said that most of the books of Prothoma are non-fiction and readers, mostly youths, were searching for books on history and politics.

‘After the mass uprising readers demanded books on history, politics and culture,’ said Sohel.

Kibria Reeha, a student from BRAC University, said that besides stories and poetry she preferred non-fiction to know different perspectives and points of views.

‘Normally we overlook the different perspectives of history, philosophy and political events but non-fiction helps to strengthen the truth with information and points of view,’ said Ree Ha.

A total of 104 new titles including 35 collections of poems, 14 collections of short stories and six novels were published on the 16th day of the fair, according to the academy officials.

A discussion on life and works of poet Al Mahmud will be held on the academy premises on Monday.​

 

[Saif]

5 books to look out for at this year’s Boi Mela

Whether you’re searching for contemporary works by emerging writers or timeless classics from renowned authors, this list highlights must-read books that deserve your attention during your visit.

www.thedailystar.net

BOI MELA 2025
5 books to look out for at this year’s Boi Mela

PHOTOS: RASHED SHUMON

Whether you're searching for contemporary works by emerging writers or timeless classics from renowned authors, this list highlights must-read books that deserve your attention during your visit.

"Bibaho"
Momtazuddin Ahmed

A poignant tale that revolves around the protagonist Sakhina's husband who is martyred in the 1952 Language Movement, Ahmed's work captures simultaneously the heartbreak and the pride of losing a loved one for the greater, collective political aspiration of a people. As Sakhina mourns the death of her beloved, her father urges her to take pride in his sacrifice—a dualism that characterises Bangladesh's struggle for independence.

Ekushe February
Hasan Hafizur Rahman (ed.)
Bangala Gobeshona, 2020

Published on the first anniversary of 21st February, this short story collection features stories, such as Shawkat Osman's "Mouno Noy", Nur Ul Alam's "Ekaler Rupkatha", Rabeya Khatun's "Prothom Boddhobhumi", Shahidullah Kaisar's "Emni Korei Gore Uthbe", among others. Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous days of February 1952, this collection offers snippets of quotidian Bangali lives as the struggle for independence and linguistic autonomy raged on.

On the occasion of this year's Ekushey Boi Mela, book lovers have much to look forward to. From thought-provoking short stories and captivating novels to powerful poetry and engaging plays, the fair offers a diverse selection catering to all literary tastes.

Mofossholio Intensity
Syeda Nilima Dola

Oitijjhya Prokashoni, 2025

Brought to this year's Boi Mela by Oitijjhya Prokashoni, in her debut poetry collection, Syeda Nilima Dola traces her evolution as a poet, capturing the raw emotions and transformative moments that have shaped her journey. Much like the title of her book, she finds the intensity of her love for life through poetry. In Mofossholio Intensity, she explores the experiences that shape our psyche and the intensity of emotions that moves us to find solitude in art. With an achingly beautiful tribute to all the people she loves, this book explores the theme that we are just a mosaic of everyone and everything we have ever loved.​

Hijra Shobdokosh
Selina Hossain

Somoy Prokashon, 2019

Selina Hossain is a widely celebrated Bangladeshi fiction writer who sheds light on society's taboos through activism in her writing. Her book, Hijra Shobdokosh, is another significant addition to her literary works, published in 2019 by Somoy Prokashon. This book provides detailed information on the language, culture, and various aspects of the lives of the Hijra community. It highlights the scrutiny and misconceptions surrounding the Bangladeshi Hijra community and the generational mistreatment that they have lived through. It inspires conversation on how we can practise open-mindedness and recognise the struggle such marginalised communities face in cementing their identity in this society. Encouraging their social inclusion, it urges readers to see the Hijra community as an equal and respected minority while emphasising the importance of accepting their existence.

The White Book
Han Kang, Tripti Santra (translator)

Kobi Prokashani, 2025

Each year, innumerable Bangla translations of international bestsellers inundate the shelves at Boi Mela, making them accessible to a wider readership in Bangladesh. At this year's fair, we think Tripti Santra's translation of The White Book is one worth checking out. Originally written by Han Kang, a South Korean writer, The White Book is a deeply personal semi-autobiographical account that immerses readers into the severity of losing a loved one and the confusion of perceiving the world in their absence. Kang first rose to international prominence for her novel The Vegetarian, which became the first Korean language novel to win the International Booker Prize for fiction in 2016. In 2024, she became the first Asian woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, which the Swedish Academy awarded Kang for her "intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life".​

 

[Saif]

EKUSHEY BOOK FAIR: More volumes of poetry, fewer readers

The number of volumes of poetry at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025 this week reached 300 but the sale of collections of poems decreased as people read poems in different ways, publishers said on Thursday...

www.newagebd.net

EKUSHEY BOOK FAIR: More volumes of poetry, fewer readers
MA Aslam Molla 21 February, 2025, 01:29

The number of volumes of poetry at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025 this week reached 300 but the sale of collections of poems decreased as people read poems in different ways, publishers said on Thursday.

Amjad Hossain Khan Kajol, sales manager of Oitijjhya, said that they published 29 collections of poems at the fair.

‘We have published collections of poems and most of the authors are young and they write about contemporary issues,’ Kajol said, adding that readers collect poems related to the July uprising.

Amra Kotha Boli Kenona Neerobota Fascister Bhasa by Hasan Robayet, Memories of 33 July by Rummana Jannat and a collection of poems about July uprising titled July Raktalal attracted readers, said Kajol.

Zahidul Islam Tuhin, the chief executive officer of Nalanda Publishing House, said, ‘Most of the collections of poems are small in size and we publish small quantities because a few readers collect poems,’ Tuhin said, adding that they have published 300 copies for each edition.

Akash Chandra Shill, shop manager of Boitorni, said that readers, especially youth, liked to read poems.

Arifa Yesmin, a reader of poems and also a young poet, said that readers of poems grew mainly from study circles.

‘Contemporary poets like to address contemporary issues and express their own realisation instead of narrating events or beauty,’ said Arifa while speaking about the difference between contemporary poetry and classic poetry.

Poet Shimul Salahuddin said that publishers should pay in advance for publishing collections of poems.

‘Collections of poems are published by different publishing houses for their prestige,’ said Shimul Salahuddin.

A total of 112 new titles including 27 collections of poems, 13 collections of short stories and eight novels were published on Thursday at the fair, according to the Bangla Academy officials.

A discussion titled Amar Ekushey Baktrita by former Jahangirnagar University professor Anu Muhammad will be held on the academy premises on Friday.

The fair will open today at 8:00am and end at 9:00pm to observe Amar Ekushey.​

 

[Saif]

EKUSHEY BOOK FAIR: Crowd, festivity, sale delight publishers

The Ekushey Book Fair became festive with the presence of a large crowd on Bhasha Shaheed Dibas and International Mother Language Day on Friday....

www.newagebd.net

EKUSHEY BOOK FAIR: Crowd, festivity, sale delight publishers
MA Aslam Molla 21 February, 2025, 23:34

This photo taken on February 21, 2025 shows a large crowd of people pouring into the Ekushey Book Fair on Suhrwardy Udyan in the capital. | Md Saurav

The Ekushey Book Fair became festive with the presence of a large crowd on Bhasha Shaheed Dibas and International Mother Language Day on Friday.

The fair was open at 8:00am and ended at 9:00pm.

Bangla Academy premises and Suhrawardy Udyan became crowded in the evening and the sale reached pick, said publishers.

Most of the visitors were in black attires to pay tribute to the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement, now observed as International Mother Language Day.

Visitors also joined the cultural events, discussions and theatre festival at the fairground marking the Amar Ekushey.

Long queues were seen at every entry and exit point while police and other law enforcement agencies struggled to ensure security.

Young poet Rajia Sultana Nurin came with her friends to the fair in the evening and said that the fairground turned into a festival with the presence of a large number of people.

‘People walking, gossiping and eating in a book fair, it is nice to see the festivity among the people. Readers should buy their desired book among the crowd,’ said Nurin, adding that she did not watch any tension about security at the fairground.

Writers, poets and publishers were too busy to manage the readers who came to buy books.

Saurav Ghosh, a sales person of Panjeree Publications, said that at 7:30pm they could not take lunch because of the pressures of readers.

‘A huge crowd visited the stall and sought different books at noon which still continues and the sale is three to four times higher than other days,’ said Saurav, adding that the sale in the morning hours was not as good as they expected.

Adarsha chief executive officer Mahabub Rahman said that the sale was higher than that of other days but less than the past year.

‘A large number of crowds visit the fairground but sale is less compared to the past the year. Undoubtedly, the visitors create life for the fair,’ said Mahabub Rahman, hoping that readers would collect their desired books this week.

Record 307 new titles, including 80 collections of poems, 40 novels and 35 collections of short stories, were published on Friday at the fair, according to Bangla Academy officials.

A discussion on poet Kaykobad will be held on the academy premises on Saturday.

The fair will open today at 11:00am and end at 9:00pm.​