DHAKA, Jan 31, 2024 (BSS) - President Mohammed Shahabuddin today said that the Amar Ekushey Book Fair is an integral part of Bangalee culture.

"The fair is an integral part of the development of our education, culture and history," he said in a message on the occasion of the month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2024 beginning tomorrow.

On the eve of the Book Fair, he paid his deepest respect to the memory of the immortal martyrs of the Great Language Movement.

He wished all programmes of the fair a grand success.

The head of the state extended his greetings to all concerned, including the Bangla book-lovers, readers, publishers and organizers.

The 'Amar Ekushey Book Fair' has taken its position in the hearts of all Bangalees, he said, adding that every year, in the month of February, the book fair, organized by Bangla Academy, creates a unique gathering of people from all walks of life including writers, readers and cultural activists.

"There is no alternative to reading books in building a knowledge-based society," he added.

He believed that the month-long book fair and language practice will make an effective contribution to encourage the new generation to read books and practice literature in the current era of information technology.

The president hoped that the 'Amar Ekushey Book Fair' will uphold the Bangla language, culture, history and its tradition by keeping the spirit of the great language movement alive.