On Saturday, a public holiday featuring Shishu Prahar, visitors thronged the Amar Ekushey Book Fair while new titles also rose with the sales, said salespersons at the fairground.
A total of 38 new titles were published on the third day of the fair, according to academy officials.
A great number of children visited the fairground with their parents during children hour, while 347 child artistes competed in three age groups at a music competition held by Bangla Academy.
Besides, children’s book publishers and children’s organisations with different cultural troupes ran children-based activities at the fairground, including puppet shows, musical performances and drawing.
After Iftar, the number of visitors – mostly families with teenagers and youths – increased at the fairground.
Security personnel at the entry points and throughout the grounds remained busy, while salespersons at stalls showcased their collections to the crowds gathering at prominent publications stalls.
Sheba Prokashoni manager Mominul Islam said that last year they published nearly 30 books and their monthly magazine, but as most of the visitors asked for old publications, they reprinted almost all of their franchises, including Masud Rana, Tin Goeanda and the western series.
‘After the pandemic, the publication of new titles slowed down, but old publications are in high demand from readers,’ he said, adding that a good publication is preferable for all seasons.
Visitors also gathered at new publication houses to explore their new titles.
A discussion on Language movement hero and writer Ahmed Rafiq was held at the main stage of the fairground in the afternoon.
Writer Ismile Saadi presented the keynote while Mostofa Tariqul Ahsan spoke at the event chaired by Monsur Musa.
This year, 549 publishing houses and organisations are participating in the fair, which was rescheduled several times due to the February 12 national elections and a boycott by a section of publishers under the banner of Prokashak Oikya demanding a deferral of the fair. The section of publishers later agreed to take part in the book fair.
This year’s fair will last only 18 days but it is usually a month-long event held throughout February.
