Ekushey Boi Mela

The Ekushey Boi Mela is the largest book fair in Bangladesh and holds great cultural and historical significance for the country. It is a celebration of books and reading, but also a commemoration of the sacrifices made by people in 1952 in the struggle for Bangla as the official language in East Pakistan. The book fair has been organised by the Bangla Academy every year since 1978.

Background

Ekushey Boi Mela was initiated in 1972 to pay tribute to the people who were killed on February 21, 1952, while demanding Bangla as the official language in East Pakistan. The struggle for language rights in Bangladesh played a crucial role in the country’s journey towards independence and has since become a symbol of national identity and cultural heritage.

Organization

The annual Ekushey Boi Mela is organized by the Bangla Academy and is held in the Bangla Academy venue. It is a month-long event that attracts a large number of visitors every year, including book lovers, authors, publishers, and cultural enthusiasts.

Inauguration

This year, the Ekushey Boi Mela was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina. The event was held under the theme “Poro Boi, Goro Desh: Bangbandhur Bangladesh”, which means “Read Books, Build the Country, a Country of Bangabandhu’s Dream”. The theme highlights the role of books and reading in shaping the future of the country and building a nation that reflects the vision of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh.