PM opens Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 at a function on Bangla Academy premises on Thursday.

The premier declared the opening of the book fair at 3:12pm. Then along with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman and other guests, he formally inaugurated the fair at 3:16pm by cutting a ribbon.

He also visited different stalls on the Bangla Academy premises. 

Earlier, on the occasion, the premier distributed the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2025 among eight recipients and took part in a photo session with the awardees. 

The awardees of the Bangla Academy Literary Award-2025 are: Nasima Anis in fiction, Syed Azizul Haque in essays, Hasan Hafiz in children's literature, Ali Ahmad in translation, Mustafa Majid and Israel Khan in research, Farsim Mannan Mohammadi in science and Moidul Hasan in Liberation War.

Tarique Rahman arrived at the venue around 2:00 pm while the event began with the singing of the national anthem, recitation of religious scripts and singing of the historic immortal song "Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February . . . Ami Ki Bhulite Pari?"

Besides, one minute of silence was observed in the memory of the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement, the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 July Uprising.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury and State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam spoke at the function as special guest with Bangla Academy President Professor Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq in the chair. 

Cultural Affairs Secretary Md. Mofidur Rahman, Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association President Md Rezaul Karim Badsha and Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam delivered the welcome address.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and their daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman, cabinet members, members of parliament, foreign diplomats, senior civil and military officials and dignitaries were present at the function. 

This year, the Bangla Academy is organising the annual book fair on its and Suhrawardy Udyan's premises with the theme "Multidimensional Bangladesh".

The fair will continue till March 15 while it will remain open from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm everyday (except holidays). 

No new visitors will be allowed to enter after 8:30 pm. On holidays, the fair will remain open from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Bangla Academy and participating institutions will sell books at a 25 percent commission, while government institutions will sell books at their fixed commission rates.

Bangla Academy will have stalls in both sections of the fair for selling its books and publications.