The Amar Ekushey Book Fair assumed a different look on Thursday, with the visitors presenting each other with books as a token of their love on Valentine’s Day.
Both the young and old couples, parents and kids grabbed the occasion to pour out their hearts to each other.
‘We have presented our favourite people with books and passed some memorable moments on the fair premises,’ said 40-year-old government official Ashraful Alam, who came to the fair with his wife from Magbazar.
Having been presented with two books by his parents, seven-year-old Shurav was beside himself.
‘My mom is the best as she bought me two science fictions,’ the kid said.
Young people, with their friends, were seen wandering in the fair while some were flicking through books.
‘I have come with my friends and younger brothers and we are enjoying the day together,’ said Jagannath University Sraban Ahmed Jewel.
The young women decorated themselves with colourful flowers, especially red roses in their hair added.
On the day, the visitors started streaming into the fair ground soon after the archways opened and the fair remained abuzz with people till the end.
The most-sold books included romantic novels and poetry of popular authors besides science fiction and story books, said representatives of different stalls.
Novels of the late popular author Humayun Ahmed, Imdadul Haque Milon, Anisul Haque and Selina Hossain, science fiction of Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, poetry of Syed Shamsul Haque, Nirmalendhu Goon, Mahadev Saha, along with the works of Rabindranath, Nazrul, Jibananda Das were among the favourite titles of the visitors on the day.
Representatives of different stalls said that they passed a busy day.
Akshar Prakashani stall representative Shubal Das said, ‘Romantics book, especially novels, sold well today (Thursday).’
‘Romantic works of Anisul Haque, Nirmalendhu Goon and Pranab Bhatt attracted the young readers on Valentine’s Day,’ said Mizan Publisher representative Tania Sultana Lovely, in her colourful dress.
Stall representatives of Anya Prakash, Anwesha, Tamralipi, Pathsutra, Abashar, Srijani and Gati, among others, echoed her.
On Tuesday, a total of 121 new titles hit the fair. Collections of poetry, with 34 titles, led the tally, followed by 22 novels and 18 story books.
Also seven new titles were unveiled at Nazrul Mancha.
On the day, the academy held a discussion on ‘Tarashankar Bandapadhyay: Sthanikata theke Chirantane’, chaired by Hasnat Abdul Hye.
Zakir Talukdar read out the keynote paper in the seminar, also addressed by Rashid Haider, Abul Momen, Muhammad Shahid-uz-Zaman and Kanchan Kuntala Mukhapadhyay.
Today is Friday, also the third day of Shishu Prahar, dedicated hours for children, to continue till 12:30pm. The fair will remain open from 9:30am to 9:30pm.
A seminar on ‘Gabeshak-Sampadak Abdul Kadir’ will be held in the afternoon. Golam Mustafa will read out the keynote paper in the discussion.
Bhisma Dev Chowdhury, Salimullah Khan and Habib Rahman are scheduled to address the occasion, to be chaired by Mahmud Shah Quareshi.
A cultural function will be held later on.
Courtesy of New Age
