EKUSHEY BOI MELA preparations in full swing
Books everywhere -- on shelves, shops, and vans-- this is how Bangla Bazaar, the biggest book hub of the country, looks like when preparations for Ekushey Boi Mela begins every year. Known commonly as Boiyer Adi Bari, Bangla Bazar turns busy since the month of January, among its hustle and tussle, and a crowd of cover designers, writers, editors, and most prominently, book binders.
With the month long Ekushey Boi Mela 2020 knocking at the door, over 400 different publishing houses are busy as ever. Around 3500 new books are launched every year at the Ekushey Boi Mela. Books that have been well received by the readers are reprinted as well.
The neighbouring printing presses of Bangla Bazar are spending hectic days, often even skipping lunches to complete their work fast. Over 100 book binding stalls are working double shifts, day and night.
Farid Ahmed, the President of Knowledge and Creative Publishers Association, shared his experience. “We have been incredibly busy since the last couple of weeks,” he said. “We plan to release all our new books by the first week of Boi Mela.”
We also spoke to Monirul Hoque, owner of Ananya Prokashoni and Executive Editor of Knowledge and Creative Publishers Association. “We actually spend the whole year preparing for this event,” he said. “However, the last moments are always full of pressure, and takes a lot of hard work.”
Besides the publishers and writers, the book cover artists and new writers are also spending busy days at Bangla Bazar since the past couple of weeks. Celebrating Mujib Shoto Borsho, more than 200 books, on the life and works of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, will be launched.
The construction of stalls and pavilions are also underway at Suhrawardy Udyan. This year’s the Ekushey Boi Mela will feature 34 pavilions which will host the participation of 322 publishers. “We have already finished our work for the pavilion,” mentions A K M Tarikul Islam Rony, the editor of Tamrolipi Publications.
A new entry gate, adjacent to the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), University of Dhaka, will be built in order to ensure easy entries to the fair. For the first time, designated book launching corners and a platform for book readings and panel discussions has been constructed at the venue. The Boi Mela, which traditionally begins on February 1, has been rescheduled to open on February 2, due to mayoral elections.
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