A 19-day “Chattogram Independence Book Fair–2026” is set to begin today at 4pm at the Gymnasium Ground in Chattogram, organised by the Chattogram City Corporation.
The fair will continue until April 18. In an official statement issued on Monday, Mayor Shahadat Hossain said all preparations for the event have been completed, with extensive arrangements made for daily activities and programmes.
This year’s fair will feature participation from creative publishers from both Dhaka and Chattogram. The venue has been designed with open spaces to ensure visitors can move comfortably and browse books with ease.
Beyond book sales, the fair will host a wide range of cultural programmes every day. These include Rabindra and Nazrul festivals, writers’ gatherings, youth and children’s festivals, a Liberation War-themed event, poetry and rhyme festivals, and the “Chatga Festival,” among others.
The fair stage will also host thematic discussions featuring eminent intellectuals and literary figures. For children and adolescents, there will be competitions in drawing, recitation, and music.
Additionally, distinguished individuals will be honoured with the “Swadhinata Sammanona Smarak Padak” for their contributions to national life.
To ensure security, the entire venue will be brought under CCTV surveillance. Alongside police personnel, a private professional security agency will be deployed, and special security checkpoints will be set up at entry points.
The organisers have called for active participation from journalists and the public to make the event a success. Mayor Shahadat said that many young people are increasingly becoming addicted to mobile phones and drugs, which hampers their intellectual growth.
“Books are a companion that can guide young people away from such distractions and help them become creative and scientifically minded citizens,” he said.
He urged people from all walks of life, particularly the youth and their families, to attend the fair, expressing hope that it will play a significant role in fostering a more creative and enlightened generation.
