Positioned as a celebration of books as “lifelong companions” in personal and national growth, the fair aims to complement existing literary programmes and to nurture a year‑round reading culture.
The Bijoy Book Fair 2025, also styled as Bijoy Boi Mela 2025, is the second incarnation of a December‑focused literary event organised by the Bangladesh Publishers and Booksellers Association (BAPUS).
While the Amar Ekushey Book Fair in February commemorates the Language Movement, Bijoy Book Fair seeks to capture the “spirit of victory” linked to Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War, which culminated in mid‑December.
Positioned as a celebration of books as “lifelong companions” in personal and national growth, the fair aims to complement existing literary programmes and to nurture a year‑round reading culture.
Key Details
The fair will run from 4 to 14 December 2025 – an eleven‑day programme – on the premises of the Bangla Academy in Dhaka. BAPUS is the principal organiser, supported by local cultural bodies. The fair’s theme, “Bijoy” (Victory), stresses December’s historic significance, tying the triumph of independence to the power of knowledge.
Expectations are high: the 2024 edition attracted 150‑200 stalls from over 50 publishers; this year organisers anticipate more than 200 stalls showcasing 500‑700 new titles across fiction, poetry, history, children’s literature and non‑fiction on national heritage.
Renowned houses such as Ananya, Pathak Shamabesh, Utpann and Mowla Brothers have confirmed participation, alongside emerging presses focusing on Bengali literature, translations and December‑themed releases – including memoirs from the Liberation War era.
The programme will, per the press release, feature daily book launches, author meet‑and‑greets, poetry readings and panel discussions on topics such as “Books in the Victory Narrative” and “December’s Literary Legacy”. A dedicated “Children’s Corner” will offer storytelling sessions and affordable books on weekend days, while an open‑stage will host live cultural performances, including recitations of war poetry. The fair is expected to draw over 100 000 visitors, with peak crowds on the weekends of 6‑7 and 13‑14 December.
Historical Context and Significance
Launched in 2024 amid a post‑election cultural revival, the fair fills a gap in Bangladesh’s literary calendar by aligning the December victory motif with a celebration of books.
BAPUS President Abdul Quadir remarked that the event “celebrates the unyielding spirit of December through the timeless power of books”.
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This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
