Ekushey Boi Mela postponed till Feb 14
Due to an ongoing spike in Covid-19 infections, the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela -- which was set to begin on February 1 -- has been postponed for two weeks. If the cases are under control, the biggest cultural event in Bangladesh may start in the third week of February.
However, in that case, compliance with hygiene guidelines will be strictly ensured.
State Minister for Culture KM Khalid told The Daily Star that due to the recent spike in cases, the fair has been postponed till February 14.
"People's lives are more important than any event. However, preparations for the fair will continue," he said.
A meeting was held at the ministry yesterday before the official announcement of postponing the fair. There were also discussions regarding how the book fair can be organised when the Covid situation gets under control.
In this regard, KM Khalid said publishers, salespersons and those involved with the fair will have to take their booster doses and keep their vaccine certificates with them.
"We will constantly monitor the matter," said the state minister.
"We are also thinking of limiting the number of people attending the fair. We are considering an online booking system," he added.
Meanwhile, publishers have expressed their satisfaction over the decision of postponing the book fair.
Farid Ahmed, president of Academic and Creative Publishers Association of Bangladesh, said there should be no compromise with the Covid-19 situation as the numbers are increasing every day.
"We welcome this decision," he said.
"Publishers have been facing losses for the past two years. The last fair was not successful. We are hoping for a good one this year if it starts in February," added Farid.
Anyaprokash's chief executive Mazharul Islam also expressed his support, saying that there is no other option than suspending the fair under such circumstances.
Though the fair starts on February 1 every year, the tradition was broken last year.
It started on March 18 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The fair also ended early -- on April 12, instead of April 14 -- after the government enforced a countrywide lockdown around that time.
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