The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 is set to begin on February 20, according to the previously determined schedule. Although there has been no change in this decision to organize the fair after the 13th parliamentary election, the authorities have taken a historic step by reducing stall rents by 25 percent in response to long-standing demands from publishers.
In a message from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, it was stated that, considering the current political context and the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki issued special instructions to grant this rent reduction.
The decision was finalized at an important meeting held on Tuesday in the presence of the cultural affairs adviser, the ministry secretary, and the Director General of Bangla Academy.
Mohammad Abul Bashar Firoz Sheikh, director of the Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association, told the media that due to the country’s ongoing instability and economic crisis, it had become extremely difficult for publishers to pay the previously fixed high rents. The association’s request to reduce stall rents as much as possible was warmly accepted by the ministry.
Bangla Academy Director General Professor Mohammad Azam also confirmed the decision, stating that the rent reduction was taken to protect the interests of publishers, and that detailed procedures would be announced soon through a press release.
Although a group of 262 publishers demanded that the fair be held after Eid, Bangla Academy rejected the proposal. Professor Azam clarified that no decision has been made to postpone the fair and that the Amar Ekushey Book Fair will indeed begin on February 20.
Earlier, there had been plans to move the fair to December in consideration of the parliamentary elections, but those plans were sheled following objections from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Subsequently, after the Election Commission announced February 12 as the voting date, all parties agreed to set February 20 as the opening day of the fair. Preparations are currently in full swing at Suhrawardy Udyan and the Bangla Academy premises, and more than five hundred publishing houses have already applied to participate.
According to the organizers, at least 25 percent of the preparatory work has already been completed, and stall construction will be finished within the stipulated time. While publishers remain divided over the duration of the fair, the decision to reduce stall rents has brought relief to most of them.
Despite the dual challenges of election-related tensions on one hand and the holy month of Ramadan on the other, Bangla Academy continues its efforts to uphold the tradition of the book fair. Along with increasing facilities for participating publishers, special importance is also being given to the safety and security of visitors, according to relevant sources.