The Ekushey Book Fair Songramme Committee on Thursday called on the government to confirm by November 4 that the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 will be held as scheduled, maintaining the long-standing tradition of the event.
At a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club, committee leaders said writers, readers, publishers, cultural activists, and progressive citizens are ready to mobilise broader programmes and movements to ensure the fair takes place in February as per tradition.
Executive member Shah Alamb read a written statement on behalf of the committee, emphasising the importance of upholding the nation’s cultural heritage and meeting public expectations.
The committee highlighted that consultations with publishers, writers, readers, and cultural activists, including the latest meeting on 25 October at Shirula Academy, unanimously supported holding the fair in February. “There is no reason to postpone the Ekushey Book Fair, yet the government seems to be misleading the public deliberately. Freedom-loving and democratic citizens will never allow this to happen,” the statement said.
Committee leaders urged authorities to withdraw any plans for delay and demonstrate goodwill by ensuring the timely organisation of the fair. They also stressed the need to respect the expectations of writers, readers, publishers, and the general public while safeguarding the proud spirit of the Language Movement.
The statement criticised the Ministry of Cultural Affairs for creating confusion over national events, noting that the current Cultural Affairs Adviser has not engaged in dialogue with cultural leaders who were central to the anti-fascist movement.
Decisions regarding the fair’s postponement, they said, were made without consulting key stakeholders, reflecting what they described as “authoritarianism and incompetence” from the ministry and, by extension, the interim government.
The committee rejected concerns that the upcoming national election or security issues justify delaying the fair. “Elections have been held during February in the past, and the fair has even taken place during Ramadan without interruption,” the statement said.
Jamshed Anwar Tapon, general secretary of Udichi Shilpigoshthi, added, “We have protested against many decisions of the previous government, but now it appears there is a shadow administration within the current government acting against the nation’s interests.”
