Uncertainty Surrounds Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 Amid Disputes Between Bangla Academy and Publishers

Unlike previous years, when the Amar Ekushey Book Fair traditionally begins on February 1, this year the Bangla Academy has been unable to inaugurate the fair even by the final week of the month.

Initially, due to the parliamentary election, authorities had rescheduled the fair to begin on February 20 instead of the first day of the Language Month. However, more than half of the participating publishers boycotted the event, objecting to holding the fair during Ramadan. As a result, the February 20 inauguration could not take place.

Following the formation of a new BNP-led government after the February 12 election, several rounds of meetings were held with the boycotting publishers to resolve the crisis. The government eventually announced February 26 as the new opening date, agreeing to several conditions, including waiving stall rental fees.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to attend the fair’s inauguration on February 26, marking his first major public event since assuming office. Authorities are keen to avoid any organizational shortcomings.

However, tensions resurfaced when a publishers’ platform accused the Bangla Academy of irregularities in pavilion allocations and announced on Saturday that they would not participate in the fair. This created an uncomfortable situation for the administration.

On Sunday, Cultural Affairs State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam said efforts were underway to bring all parties together to resolve the dispute through dialogue. By around 9:45 pm, it was learned that a resolution had been reached and publishers had decided to participate in the fair.

Traditionally, the Bangla Academy organizes the month-long fair starting February 1. This year, due to security concerns surrounding the February 12 national election, authorities had initially planned to bring the fair forward to December. That decision faced opposition from a section of publishers and more than 30 social and cultural organizations, who demanded the fair be held in the Language Month following established tradition.

The December plan was scrapped, and after the election and formation of the new government, February 20 was set as the new date. However, since Ramadan had already begun by then, a large number of publishers urged the Academy to postpone the fair until after Eid-ul-Fitr, citing fears of low attendance and financial losses.

Bangla Academy rejected the proposal, arguing that April would bring extreme heat, dust storms, and risks of nor’westers, making it impractical to hold a month-long outdoor fair.

On February 8, 321 publishing houses—including Onnoprokash, Batighar, UPL, and Panjeree Publications—announced their boycott, calling the February 20 schedule “unrealistic and self-destructive” for the publishing industry.

They also cited humanitarian concerns, noting that many stall workers are university students who would have to work long hours while fasting.

After the BNP formed the government, publishers’ platform “Prokashok Oikya” sent an open letter to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, urging him to intervene and prevent the fair from becoming “unsuccessful or controversial” at the start of a new government’s tenure.

The government responded by holding meetings with both parties. It agreed to waive stall rental fees and postponed the fair by five days to February 26.

However, publishers again threatened to withdraw, alleging a lack of transparency in pavilion allocations. They claimed that instead of ensuring equal stall allocations (with a maximum of five units per publisher and no pavilions), Bangla Academy had already granted pavilions to several publishers through what they described as a non-transparent process.

Bangla Academy denied the allegations, stating that pavilions were allocated according to rules before negotiations began.

Late Sunday night, Bangla Academy Director General Dr. Mohammad Azam announced that publishers who had been allotted pavilions agreed to relinquish them. As a result, all participants will now receive stall allocations instead.

Following this development, Batighar proprietor Dipankar Das said their delegation was meeting the Director General and that they were reconsidering participation, given that their final condition had been addressed.

According to organizers, book sales at last year’s fair reached nearly Tk 40 crore. However, publishers remain skeptical about this year’s prospects, citing Ramadan, Eid shopping, and last-minute preparation challenges.

Dipankar Das said that even if they participate, it will be under “very disorganized circumstances,” and overall sales may not even reach half of last year’s figures.

Writers have also expressed concern that the ongoing disputes could negatively affect readers. Writer and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmed noted that the number of people who buy and read books in the country is already limited, and such controversies could further discourage readership, ultimately harming the fair’s overall success.

Despite the recent resolution, uncertainty continues to cloud the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026, with stakeholders hoping that the event can proceed smoothly and inclusively under the new government.