For an industry already facing declining readership and financial strain, this institutional indecision signals troubling ambivalence toward literature’s role in national life.
The Amar Ekushey Book Fair, Bangladesh’s premier literary event (and by footfall one of the largest in the world), has been rescheduled to open on 20 February 2026 (eight days after the national parliamentary election) running through 15 March.
The decision, announced by the Bangla Academy on 17 December, follows months of uncertainty that has left publishers questioning institutional support for the country’s cultural industries.
Publishing Calendar In Turmoil
The fair traditionally launches on 1 February (for a full month) to commemorate the Language Movement, but faced its first alteration when authorities shifted it to 17 December 2025 -17 January 2026, citing the 12 February election and Ramadan as logistical conflicts.
Publishers criticised this as “ill-considered,” noting elections in 1979, 1991, and 1996 never previously disrupted the February tradition. The Ministry of Home Affairs subsequently intervened, suspending the December dates on 28 September over security concerns.
A definitive schedule only emerged after an emergency Bangla Academy meeting with the Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association (BAPUS) and law enforcement agencies.
Industry Sounds Alarm On State Support
Publishers warn the chaos reflects deeper structural neglect. Mahruhk Mohiuddin of University Press Limited stated the industry “may not have suffered even during Covid-19 as much as it has in the past year,” citing market collapse and “government indifference”.
Moinul Ahsan Saber of Dibyoprokashoni noted publishers have operated at a loss since July 2024, anticipating “not even a quarter of the usual number of books” will debut at the fair.
The Ekushey Book Fair Songramme Committee, representing writers and cultural activists, dismissed election timing as a flimsy pretext, demanding government reaffirm its commitment to cultural continuity.
Cultural Heritage Under Threat
Established in 1972 when Chittaranjan Saha displayed books at the Bangla Academy gate on Language Movement Day, the fair has only been interrupted twice: in 1983 during anti-autocracy protests and during the COVID-19 pandemic when it moved to March.
Publishers argue that relocating it from its historic February slot dilutes its connection to Bangladesh’s linguistic heritage.
The Bangla Academy insists the new dates ensure security and public participation, but for an industry already facing declining readership and financial strain, this institutional indecision signals troubling ambivalence toward literature’s role in national life.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
