Sylhet bookworms revel in book fair

As readers of Dhaka throng Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan premises for the Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela, bookworms in Sylhet need not lose heart.

Sylhet book fair, organised by Prothom Alo’s youth community “Bondhushava” in association with Sylhet City Corporation, has become a regular part of the city for the last few years.

The fifteen-day book fair, being held at the premises of Sylhet Central Saheed Minar area, started on February 1 and continues till February 15.

Eminent folk musician and Ekushey Padak laureate Sushma Das inaugurated the book fair, where Sylhet city Mayor Ariful Haque Choudhury and eminent personalities of the city were also present.

This year, Bondhushava honoured poet and researcher Shubhendu Imam with a lifetime achievement award.

Twenty-four publications including Prothoma, Kothaprokash, Utsho Prokashon, Onnesha Prokashon, Adorn Publications, Chaitanya and Nagri are participating at the book fair this year.

Sakib Ahmed Mitu, vice-president Sylhet Bondhushava, said, “Most readers in Sylhet do not get the feel of Ekushey Boimela. Our little effort tries to give them the boi mela vibe in the month of the language movement. We have been organising the book fair for the last four years, and plan to continue to do so in the future.”

The fair is open for all from 3pm to 9pm.