Publishers have voiced deep concern over the uncertainty and possible delay in organizing the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026, saying that any disruption to the event would be a cultural setback for the nation.
They emphasized that the fair is not merely a commercial event but a symbol of Bangladesh’s independence, language, and culture.
The concern was raised on Sunday (October 12) during a discussion titled “Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026: Writers, Readers, and Publishers in a Time of Uncertainty” held at the Kabi Sufia Kamal Auditorium of the Bangladesh National Museum. The event was organized by the Bangladesh Publishers and Booksellers Association (BAPUS) and attended by publishers, writers, readers, and cultural figures from across the country.
Speakers noted that the proposed schedule to hold the fair after the national election, slated for February, followed by Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr, is impractical. They argued that it would be impossible to organize the fair before April, and holding it in April or later months would also be difficult due to extreme heat and the risk of storms that could damage the large fair structures.
At the event, participants made three key demands:
The Ekushey Book Fair 2026 should be held between December 17, 2025, and January 17, 2026.
The government and Bangla Academy should make a prompt decision so that publishers, writers, and readers can prepare accordingly.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs should work together to ensure proper coordination, security, and timely arrangements for the fair.
The discussion was chaired by Abu Bashar Firoz Sheikh, Chairman of the BAPUS Book Fair Standing Committee. Among others, Golam Elahi Zayed, Vice President of BAPUS, and publishers Moniruzzaman Khan, Iftekhar Amin, and Abu Bakar Siddique Raju also spoke.
Earlier, due to the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and Ramadan, a decision had been made to bring forward the 2026 Ekushey Book Fair to December-January. However, the plan was later postponed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
