Desk Report:
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said that a government accountable to the people is determined to illuminate the country with the light of knowledge. He said that the Amar Ekushey Book Fair is not just a fair for buying and selling books; it is the expectation that it should become a cradle for the development of education, culture and thought.
He said these things while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2026 at the Bangla Academy premises on Thursday (February 26, 2026) afternoon. The program began with the rendition of the national anthem in a collective voice. Artists from the Surasapta performed the national anthem and later various religious scriptures were read.
The Prime Minister said, “The Amar Ekushey Book Fair has become a symbol of our intellect and thinking. Today’s event embodies the aspirations of the language martyrs of the 1950s. The democratic government elected by the people in a fascism-free Bangladesh wants to enlighten the country with the light of knowledge.”
Regarding the fair starting a little later than the scheduled time, she mentioned that despite some deviations in the country’s ongoing political reality, the appeal of the book fair has not faded a bit. She also commented that it is an indestructible monument to the realization of the right to mother tongue.
Regarding reading habits, the Prime Minister said that in a survey of 102 countries, Bangladesh is ranked 97th and on average, a citizen in the country reads only three books a year. She said, “This picture needs to change. The fair should not be just a festival but should make us book lovers.”
Giving directions to the Bangla Academy, she urged them to consider organizing the Amar Ekushey Book Fair as an ‘International Book Fair’ in the future. She also assured that efforts to establish Bengali as an official language in the United Nations will continue.
At the end of her speech, the Prime Minister sought the cooperation of the countrymen in building a safe, humane and prosperous ‘Bangladesh first for all’ regardless of party, opinion, religion or caste. Later, she formally inaugurated the fair by cutting the ribbon and inspected various stalls.
The Prime Minister’s wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman were present at the event. In addition, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Education Minister Dr. ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon, Bangla Academy President Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, Director General Professor Mohammad Azam, along with poets, writers, artists and eminent personalities were present.
