Book Fair to be held in traditional way, not virtually

DHAKA, Jan 17, 2021 (BSS) – The month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair
2021 will be held this year in a traditional way not virtually.

A proposal will be sent to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
proposing ‘February 20’, ‘March 7’ and ‘March 17′ as possible date to
commence the book fair, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid
told today.

He was addressing a special press conference today at Shamsur
Rahman Seminar Room at Bangla Academy premises after holding a meeting
with publishers.

He said, “Today we have discussed how we can organise the book fair
in the fastest possible time if the Covid-19 situation get controlled
or the vaccination is commenced in the country. However, we decided to
organise the fair physically, not virtually.”

“We have been planning to commence the fair from February 1, but
it’s getting impossible. Now, we want to end the fair before Ramdan,
to be started from April 12, and thus we will give proposal to premier
with three congenial dates,” he added.

Earlier, a meeting of publishers was also held with State Minister
for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid and Director General of Bangla Academy
Habibullah Siraji at 11:00am this morning.

Replying to a query of journalist whether the fair will be start
from February 20 or not, the minister said’ “We can start the fair on
February 20, if the Covid-19 situation get under control or
vaccination is started by the time. Otherwise, it will not be possible
to start the fair before March.”

Director General of Bangla Academy Habibullah Siraji said, “We are
ready to start the fair on any three dates. However, we will be
waiting for the approval from premier as it now depends on her
consent”.

“If the premier allows us, we will commence the book fair from
February 20 with special management to hold the spirit of Amar Ekush,
though it will be a little bit difficult for us,” he added.

Earlier, Bangla Academy had announced to organise the fair
virtually instead of traditional way considering the pandemic
situation. However, some authors and publishers gave consent while
some others disagreed with the decision.

SOURCE NEWS

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