Not virtual, this time the book fair is being organized by setting up stalls like every time. However, the start date of the book fair is being delayed.
On Sunday (December 13) morning, the leaders of the Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sales Association sat down for a meeting with the Director General of the Bangla Academy. The decision was made there. More than 150 publishers were present at the meeting.
After the meeting, Mazharul Islam, president of the Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sales Association, said, “The director general will talk to us again and set a date.” That is before February 21. Due to Corona, considering the current situation, the book fair will be held in accordance with the hygiene rules. Only the date will pass. ‘
He said the book fair would be inaugurated by the Prime Minister. “After contacting the Prime Minister, a fair will be organized with him on a date.”
Farid Ahmed, president of the Bangladesh Knowledge and Creative Publishers Association, told reporters after the meeting, “It was heard that there would be a virtual fair. We have exchanged views on this. This year’s book fair will be like every year. However, the date may change slightly. We will give a proposal to the Bangla Academy on how to organize a book fair. The Bangla Academy will give that proposal to the government. The fair will start from any date in February if the government gives permission.
Habibullah Siraj, director general of Bangla Academy and a poet, told Risingbd in this regard, ‘Bangla Academy is in favor of holding a book fair. The fair was postponed in light of the current situation. If the book fair is to be launched, I have asked the publishers for their opinion on when I can start it. If they give an opinion, we will make the next decision. ‘
It may be mentioned that a meeting of the fair organizing committee was held on December 10. It was decided to postpone the book fair on February 1 and hold a virtual fair.
