The Amar Ekushey Book Fair is an excellent book fair in Bangladesh. Of course, a significant number of book fairs are held every year in Bangladesh but the Amar Ekushey Book Fair, which is arranged by the Bangla Academy, has a different significance. This book fair is usually held in the month of February in remembrance of the Language Movement of 1952. Each year, scores of publishers, writers as well as visitors go to this book fair, which is rendered as the longest book fair in the world. In addition to the sale of books, many other programs, including literary discussion and cultural programs, are arranged at the fair. Literary discussion programs are held regularly in which many scholars and intellectuals take part.
It is notable that the book fair was arranged for the first time in 1972. But the initial arrangement was not officially recognized. On the twenty first February 1972, Muktodhara publication started the sale of books on a limited scale in front of the Bangla Academy. Later, other publishers increasingly started selling books there. But the Bangla Academy took responsibility for the arrangement of the book fair in 1978. The fair received the official name of ‘’Amar Ekushey Book Fair’’ in 1984. The number of participating publishers, writers, book lovers and visitors increased gradually. Though it started as a book fair only, it has turned to be more than a book fair by becoming a national cultural festival.
Of course, there are many notable positive impacts of the book fair in Bangladesh. It fosters the habit of buying and reading books and helps develop writing habits among youth. Indeed, many youth writers now write for the book fair and thousands of books are bought by book lovers each year. As a consequence, it fosters the development of an enlightened mind among many and the creation of a literary society in the country. Notably, the Ekushey book fair significantly upholds Bengali culture and reflects the modern day cultural spirit of Bangladesh, promotes the Bengali language, motivates for the development of good cultural practices among youths and children and brings many other impacts. Indeed, different sorts of literary and Bengali cultural festivals or events are arranged by the Bangla Academy in the book fair.
But there is a range of management-based, quality-based, content-oriented and other notable criticisms of the prestigious book fair. The quality of publication of books in the book fair is one of the most important causes for concerns. It should be kept in mind that the present day demands standard publications of books. Although all books that appear in the fair do not reflect the lack of a standard, it is understandable that a considerable portion of the books are not standard. This is mainly because the standard of publication is not good enough for most of the publishers in Bangladesh and there is a lack of requirement of quality publication. As a consequence, most publishers do not bring quality books to the book fair.
Moreover, most of the books coming to the book fair are mainly literature related. It is notable that I do not undermine literature books. Indeed, good literature books are undeniably important for the emotional development and wellbeing of readers. But the number of development and research/analysis based books is limited in the fair. Of course, there is a range of historical, resource based and other reasons for the inadequacy of development and research/analysis based books including the historical dominance of literature books in Bangladesh, a limited focus on development and research/analysis based books by publishers, preference of readers to literature related books especially novels, a limited practice of writing books on various development issues by writers, and inadequate participation of those writers who write on development and research/analysis based books.
Of course, there are some other notable loopholes including a discrimination against young writers, scholars or intellectuals, a lack of preparation before opening the fair or the continuation of preparatory works after the opening of the fair, a lack of room for writers to exchange views with visitors, inadequate safety from the storm, a lack of canteen facilities and a lack of toilet facilities. Notably, the discrimination against young writers, scholars, or intellectuals especially in the daily discussion programs is an important loophole. In the discussion programs, established scholars and intellectuals mostly take part. Though their views are needed and valuable, the participation of young writers can help understand the views of young generations. There is no doubt that such flaws reflect a lack of adequate plan by the organizing authorities.
Notably, the above noted limitations result in negative impacts or at least put barriers to the expected positive impacts of the prestigious fair, where people from all walks of life go, buy books and gather with friends and relatives. Even if there is a lack of research on the negative impacts, it seems that a lack of standard books affects the standard of writers and publishers of Bangladesh. Publishers may not feel the necessity of improving the standard of books while writers especially young/new writers are indirectly motivated for writing books that lack an international standard. As a further consequence, the inadequate standard of publication helps sustains the practice of sub-standard publication in the country. In addition, sub-standard standard in books can affect readers in terms of not only understanding but also thinking.
Thus, some measures are very important. In this respect, all the above noted causes for concerns need to be well addressed. But significant emphasis should be given to the improvement of the standard of the publication of books coming to the book fair. Of course, the Bangla academy may set certain minimum criteria of standard publication of books and make it mandatory for the publishers to maintain them for their participation in the book fair. Also, more research/analysis based and development books need to be ensured in the fair. In this respect, the promotion of research/analysis-based or development books is important. Also, young and new writers should be given a bit more space in the book fair.
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