The Amar Ekushey Book Fair will be held ‘on time’, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Sunday, dismissing rumours that the event might be cancelled.

Addressing a meeting, he said, “It is not correct that the book fair will not take place. The fair will certainly be held. There may be a need for some coordination due to the situation, but I do not think it is a major issue. Bangla Academy will consult publishers, and a decision will be taken through the Ministry of Cultural Affairs that will be acceptable to all. I see no reason for despair.”

The remarks came during a session titled ‘What Kind of Book Fair Do We Want’, held at Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club. 

Shafiqul Alam stressed that the fair should cater to all readers and writers. “We want a book fair where books preferred by all classes of readers are available. All authors’ works should also be accessible. Readers should be able to take the books they need according to their choice, without being forced. Only when readers can take the books of their preference will it enrich their knowledge,” he said.

He also criticised practices during previous governments, saying some individuals made millions of takas by publishing books in the name of the Sheikh family and selling them forcibly.

Mohon Raihan, convener of the National Poetry Council, said, “Books are the storehouse of knowledge. Knowledge has taught us civilisation. From the Language Movement of 1952 to the Liberation War, and even the July movement, the Ekushey Book Fair has been closely linked to these struggles.”

He went on to say, “All democratic movements and literature and culture are deeply connected with the book fair. Cancelling it would be an attempt to undermine the achievements of the July movement. Those who want to halt the fair seek to question the success of July’s struggle. Therefore, the book fair must take place in February.”