Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2024 came last. The fair has been gathering for almost a week now. Now it is not a holiday, but every day there is a crowd of readers and visitors at the book fair. Salespeople are having a busy time every day. But the scene is different at Little Mag Square, designated for Little Magazines, a space for young writers.
On the 18th day of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair, Sunday (February 18), it was seen that the scene was quite different from the rest of the fair at the Littlemag Square. This year’s Littlemag square is located in Suhrawardy Udyan adjacent to Muktamanch. Stalls have been allotted to 170 establishments, but almost half of them are closed. Those who are open are also spending idle time. Some are sitting and playing mobile phones, some are talking to themselves.
The editors of Little Magazine are blaming the organizing committee of the fair for this situation. They said that every time the Little Mag square was set aside. This time, no one notices the place where it is placed. The place is also not cleaned regularly. Also the arrangement of lighting is always dark. They claim that the fish market also has better lighting.
They also said that there is not enough space between stalls. They complained repeatedly but did not get any solution, this is their anger. Regarding the low readership, they said that low media coverage is also a reason.
Fazle Rabbi, the editor of ‘Saflya’ magazine, said that the fair has gathered. But there are no readers-visitors in the Little Mag square. Littlemag has taken up space in such a place, which no one sees.
Roksana Rahman, writer and editor of little magazine ‘Shabdkuthir’, said that readers did not come to Littlemag space. One of the reasons for this is, falling aside, the problem of lights. The light is such that it is difficult for us to write. Moreover, those who come from the media, they also promote byte on the other hand. LittleMag doesn’t show anyone. Even if they show, maybe some people would know. I am sitting like this, I feel bad because it is not sold. I don’t expect to make a profit, I just hope to be able to publish the next issue if some magazines are sold.
Editor of ‘Dolan’ Kamal Mostafa said that Littlemag is neglected in the whole fair. The atmosphere here is not similar to the atmosphere of the fair. We don’t want much, we just want a nice environment where we can sit and chat. This is what Littlemag Square means! Then look at the bad condition of the lights! The fish market has better lights than this. We did not get a solution even after asking repeatedly.
Rima Chishti, editor of Shabadkathon, said that a magazine comes out every six months. People are coming. But not as expected. Moreover, this area has been kept in a corner. There is not even a place to walk here.
new book
On the 18th day of Amar Ekushe Book Fair 2024, Sunday (February 18), 83 new books arrived.
Main stage arrangement
At 4 pm, a discussion program titled ‘Remembrance: National Professor Anisuzzaman’ was held at the main stage of the book fair. The article was presented by Swarochish Sarkar. Luva Nahid Chowdhury and M. Abdul Alim participated in the discussion. Kabi Kamal Chowdhury, Adviser on Education and Culture to the Hon’ble Prime Minister presided over the event.
The author says
Fiction writer Manik Mohammad Razzak, children’s writer Romain Raihan, poet Saikat Habib and lyricist Manoranjan Bala discussed their new books at the writers talk event.
Cultural events
Poet Kamal Chowdhury, Mustafiz Shafi, Nazmul Helal, Mahbooba Farooq, Rakib Hasan, Rishad Huda and Nazma Ahmed recited poems in the cultural program. The recital was performed by reciter Md. Shaukat Ali, Md. Enamul Haque, Shireen Sultana, Suprabha Sevathy, Aniket Rajesh and Ferdowsi Begum. In the cultural program, ‘Aranyak Natyadal’ performed the drama ‘Kahe Facebook’ written and directed by Mamunur Rashid.
Monday schedule
Monday 19 February 2024 is the 19th day of Amar Ekushe Book Fair. The fair will start at 3 pm and will continue till 9 pm. A discussion program titled ‘Smaran: Hasan Azizul Haque’ will be held at the main stage of the book fair at 4 pm. Mozaffar Hossain will present the article. Farooq Moinuddin and Mahibul Aziz will participate in the discussion. Professor Bhishmadev Chowdhury will preside over the program.
