The month-long Ekushey Book Fair 2016 concluded on the last day of February without any untoward incident except one day's sudden hailstorm. The security measures this time were satisfactory. Ample open space was kept for the visitors with some stalls clustered and some segregated- though not in an orderly fashion. The authorities have declared that better stall arrangement would be made next time.
Books worth Tk 429 million were sold this year which is double the sale figure last year. This year's fair marks a special occasion as the 60th founding anniversary of Bangla Academy. The layout of the stalls and pavilions along with Children's Hour were praiseworthy. A total of 3444 new titles hit the fair this year with poetry books --939 in number -leading the tally. Last year, 3700 new books had appeared. This year 651 stalls were allotted to 402 organisations. Among them 111 stalls of 82 organisations were allocated on the academy premises, while 540 stalls of 320 organisations at Suhrawardy Uddayan. Bangla Academy featured 15 stalls this year.
As per article 6.1 of the fair regulations 2016, participating organisations can sell books published in Bangladesh and written, translated and edited by Bangladeshi writers. According to article 6.3, none is allowed to display and sell note, guidebook and pirated books, and article 6. 4 prohibits selling of books of other publishing houses.
Books remain alive when we can ensure regular readers and their regular habit of reading. Today what do we do? We engage more time in virtual pages than reading books. It is true that we must keep pace with the present virtual world but we must not sacrifice our habit of reading books.
Ekushey Book Fair not only inspires local people but also creates enthusiasm among the expatriates and foreign nationals living in Bangladesh. But professionalism is yet to develop, particularly in respect of publisher-writer relationships. Quality writers are not always properly evaluated by the publishers. Many new publishers, on the other hand, publish books taking financial support from the new writers. It is not always true that new writers cannot produce quality works. It is also true that many new seasonal writers come up with many books at their own expense. Some writers living abroad take the opportunity to publish books during this period. They don't bother about publishing books on their own. Thus different groups find this season a book publishing and launching time. There is no harm in this affair. But the real writers, who continuously write all the year round, should have a significant place in the book fair. It is regrettable that many books get published without any editing.
New books and their special scent attract readers. How much new books will attract the readers depends on the quality of the books. The number of writers and their books are increasing day by day.
With this, immature writings and productions are also on the rise. Many people may have the thirst for reading but they don't buy books. On the other hand, many don't buy books but read a lot if they find. So, the demand and supply theory may not be functional here. There is a Chinese proverb 'the man who does not read books for three consecutive days loses the beauty of speaking.' So, everybody should read regularly.
The writer works in BRAC Education Programme. [email protected]
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