The Amar Ekushey Book Fair gained vibrancy on its second day, as the first weekly holiday drew a significantly larger number of visitors to the Bangla Academy premises and Suhrawardy Udyan.
Compared with the opening day, Friday saw a noticeably larger crowd of visitors, especially after the Jumu’ah prayers, when the flow of people steadily increased on the fair premises.
While several stalls were still being set up on the inaugural day, most publishers had completed their displays and commenced full-scale sales by Friday. Although a few stalls continued last-minute preparations, visitors said the fair appeared far more organised.
Publishers reported a modest rise in sales, particularly as families attended in groups. Many expressed optimism that, if the steady flow of visitors continues, this year’s fair could yet prove successful despite concerns over Ramadan timing.
Steady footfall despite Ramadan
Attendance remained comparatively lighter during the daytime due to fasting, but picked up markedly in the afternoon and continued until shortly before iftar. Popular publishing houses in Suhrawardy Udyan saw notable crowds, with readers browsing new releases, meeting authors and collecting autographs.
Sarabi, who visited the fair with her daughter, said the overall environment felt welcoming. “I bought books for my child. It feels well organised and pleasant,” she said, noting that many visitors appeared to be moving with a sense of urgency ahead of iftar.
Near the TSC gate, a small mobile art stall attracted curious onlookers. Pranto, 23, a student of Dhaka Art College, said he and three fellow students were drawing portraits to help finance their studies. “We are all students here. The income supports our education,” he said.
Bamboo handicrafts and other handmade items also added diversity to the fair’s atmosphere.
However, some publishers voiced reservations about holding the fair during Ramadan. Rasfat, proprietor of Bigyan Academy, said he had proposed organising the fair after the holy month. According to him, the first weekly holiday crowd appeared nearly half of what it had been in previous years.
Others were cautiously hopeful. The proprietor of Jhilmil Prokashani noted that although overall attendance seemed lower, most visitors were making purchases. “If this trend continues, the final outcome may still be positive,” he said.
Children’s Hour delights young visitors
A major attraction of the day was Children’s Hour, which brought a lively splash of colour to the fair. The Bangla Academy’s children’s corner was animated with drawing sessions, poetry recitations, music competitions and puppet shows.
Kakatuya Puppet Theatre and a traditional bioscope show proved especially popular among young visitors.
Eight-year-old Apurba Bhowmik, attending the fair with his parents, experienced a bioscope for the first time. “I liked it very much. I will ask my father to bring me again,” he said with a smile.
Asaduzzaman Ashik, founder of Kakatuya Puppet Theatre, said their performances aim to promote friendship, cooperation and reading habits among children.
The Bangladesh Shishu Academy operated the largest stall in the children’s section, offering picture books, rhymes and engaging mathematics-based titles, many of which drew steady interest throughout the afternoon.
Despite the constraints of Ramadan, the fair’s second day showed that the spirit of Ekushey endures, kept alive by readers of all ages.
