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A large number of prominent mainstream publishers have decided to abstain from participating in Amar Ekushey Book Fair — the country’s largest book fair — fearing economic losses due to the post-election situation and the overlap with the upcoming month of Ramadan.
At the fair, leading publishers are allocated pavilions, while others are given stalls.
This year, of the 37 publishers allocated pavilions, 36 have decided not to participate and have demanded that the fair be rescheduled to after Eid-ul-Fitr. UPL, Mawla Brothers, Ananya Prokashoni and Onno Prokash are among them.
In a joint statement on February 8, 321 publishers demanded that the inauguration of the fair be rescheduled to after Eid-ul-Fitr.
Yesterday, 14 publishers sent an open letter to BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, reiterating the same demand.
To confirm stall and pavilion allocations, Bangla Academy extended the payment deadline from February 9 to February 11. However, sources said many publishers have not yet submitted their payments.
Speaking to The Daily Star, publishers expressed concern about possible instability after the national election.
Monirul Hoque of Ananya Prokashoni said there was uncertainty about the situation following the parliamentary polls.
Ramadan is expected to begin on February 17. Publishers fear turnout will be low as people will spend time on iftar, Taraweeh prayers and other religious observances.
Mazharul Islam of Onno Prokash said it can be easily anticipated that the turnout will be low during Ramadan.
The number of students, who are a major part of the fair’s audience and also work part-time at many stalls, may also decline, as educational institutions usually close weeks before the Eid, he added.
“How will the staffers at the stall manage to work while fasting?,” he questioned.
However, if the Ekushey Book Fair continues to take place in February as per the tradition, the next three editions of the fair will also be held during the Ramadan.
Adarsha Prakashani Publisher Md Mahabubur Rahman said around 280 stall-holding publishers have announced they will abstain, fearing financial losses.
“Every publisher is suffering economically, more or less. If the book fair is held from February 20, over three hundred publishers will not take part in it,” he added.
He also alleged that pavilion allocations were being given beyond regulations to continue the fair without mainstream publishers.
Mahabubur said publishers submitted memorandums and letters to relevant authorities, including Bangla Academy, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the chief adviser’s office, requesting rescheduling.
Several publishers, requesting anonymity, alleged that new publishers were being allocated pavilions and stalls without approval from the book fair committee and in violation of seniority rules.
“A dangerous precedent is being set. Later, they will claim these allotments as a ‘legal right’, paving the way for chaos and litigation,” said a publisher.
This “frantic rush” to fill empty slots will jeopardise the fair’s business environment and the entire publishing ecosystem, said another publisher.
Responding to the allegations, Bangla Academy Director General Mohammad Azom said stall and pavilion allocations are reviewed annually based on standards among applicants.
Also, there is no scope to change the scheduled date, as the proposal came after preparations were well underway, he told The Daily Star.
Azom said numerous government approvals had already been obtained, and significant expenditure had been made.
He also denied that the date was chosen arbitrarily, saying it was decided in the presence of publishers and approved unanimously by the book fair committee.
“Every decision has been made in the presence of a large number of publishers of the book fair committee, and this time, even more publishers were included in the committee than in previous years,” he said.
Earlier, Bangla Academy had announced that the 2026 Ekushey Book Fair would begin in December last year, considering the election and Ramadan, but later reversed that decision.
