Children browsing books of their choice at a stall of Ekushey Book Fair in Suhrawardy Udyan of the city on Friday. — FE Photo Ekushey Book Fair-2018 drew an overwhelming crowd of visitors on the first weekend, on Friday, the day after the most important event in the country's literary calendar began in the city.
Flocks of visitors started gathering at the fair venue since it was opened at 11.00am, which gradually rose by several times around evening.
However, some of the publishers were seen arranging their stalls even on the second day of the month-long fair.
Publishers and salespersons at the stalls expressed the hope that the fair would gain momentum both in terms of visitors and sales in the coming days as several other events like Dhaka International Trade Fair are still going on in the city. Bangla Academy organised the country's largest book fair on its premises and in the adjoining Suhrawardy Udyan.
Some 455 publishers and different organisations are showcasing and selling their publications in the fair, the figure was 409 in the last year.
Shahnewaz Ahmed, salesperson of a stall of Bangla Academy, said they have brought 141 new and reprinted books this year.
"People are buying our books at 25 per cent commission than that of the regular price," he said.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has taken all necessary security measures at the fair venue to avert any untoward situation.
"We are providing all-out support to the publishers as well as visitors to ensure congenial atmosphere at the fair for the booklovers and writers," he said.
According to Bangla Academy, 54 books were unveiled at the fair on Friday. Of which, 19 were poetry books and eight novels.
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