Staff Correspondent
Ekushey book fair witnessed rush of visitors and boost in sales at Bangla Academy on Wednesday with one day away from Amar Ekushey February and International Mother Language Day. Arrival of new titles also increased with more than 136 titles hitting the fair on the day, while the information centre reported arrival of 121 books. The number of new titles was 80 to 110 on the previous few days.
Books of poems topped the list of new arrivals again with 27 titles. A notable number of 22 story books arrived on the day which also witnessed 17 novels, nine essay books, and eight books for the children.
‘I came straight to the fair from the office and bought my favorite books before the weekend tomorrow,’ Didarul Alam, an employee of a private farm, said.
The fair authority failed to implement the fair rules as the stall of Best Way Foundation, which was cancelled on charge flouting fair rules, remained open on Thursday.
Best Way brought a good many new books, published by other publishing houses, on the day. Several books published from Kolkata were also found at the stall.
The owner of the stall Amanullah Sheikh, also president of Dhaka city National Awami Party (Bhasani), said he did not receive any letter from the academy authorities.
He also said he did not flout fair rules, ‘I applied for a stall in the name of Best Way Foundation, not Bhasani Smriti Sangsad. So, I will not go away even if they (fair authority) send me any letter.’
Noted writers and artists took the wrap off 27 books on the fair ground on the day.
Artist Hashem Khan unveiled the cover of ‘Chithipatre Chittaranjan Saha’ published by Muktadhara, at Nazrul Mancha.
Hasnat Abdul Hai took the wrap off his book ‘All Those Yesterdays: 1954-1964’, published by Adorn Publications. Writers Ahmad Mostafa Kamal, Mirza Taher Zamil and journalist Rahat Khan were present.
Bangla Academy organised a discussion on prose as a part of its series of lectures on ‘Prospective Bangladesh.’
Essay writer Mahibul Aziz read out the keynote paper at the discussion chaired by writer Hasan Azizul Huq. The discussion was followed by a cultural function.
Poet Bayetullah Quaderi will read out the keynote paper at today’s discussion on poetry to be held with poet Mohammad Rafique in the chair.
Courtesy of www.newagebd.com
