Bangla Academy is set to proceed with the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 on 20 February despite a boycott threat from more than 300 mainstream publishers who fear significant financial losses due to the fair coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan.
Md Selim Reza, member secretary of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 Organising Committee, has confirmed that preparations are well advanced and the allocation of stalls and pavilions was finalised on Tuesday night.
A total of 662 stalls have been allotted this year, which is 133 more than in 2025, and includes 24 new publishing houses. Of the 23 pavilions available, 11 have been assigned to established houses and 12 to newcomers.
The decision to hold the 23-day event during the fasting month has triggered strong objections, with a group of 321 publishers signing a press release through Mazharul Islam of Anyaprokash.
They argue that Ramadan typically results in shorter working hours and reduced consumer spending, which could lead to “commercial suicide” for an industry already strained by rising paper prices and political instability.
Furthermore, printing presses have been preoccupied with election-related work over the past two months, effectively halting the publication of new titles.
In response to these conditions, the publishers’ platform Prokashok Oikk (Publishers’ Unity) sent an open letter to Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh, seeking his intervention.
The publishers have proposed two key demands: the postponement of the fair from its 20 February start and the organisation of a festive, full-fledged event after Eid.
While they maintain they are not against the fair itself, they seek an inclusive event that protects the industry and preserves the legacy of the Language Movement. At present, Bangla Academy remains firm on its schedule, setting the stage for a potential confrontation between the organisers and the publishing industry.
