DHAKA, Feb 22, 2022 (BSS) - A total of 73 new books hit the stalls of Amar Ekushey Book Fair today, on the eighth day of the fair beginning on February 15.

    A discussion on 'Birth Centenary of Bangabandhu: Bangabandhu as an author' was held at the main stage of the fair at 4 pm today, with Professor Dr Syed Anwar Husain in the chair, a press release said.

    Mohammad Selim presented the keynote speech on the occasion while Jhorna Rahman and Tanvir Hasan Sidny addressed the discussion as special guests, added the release.

    The book fair remains open for all from 2 pm to 9 pm on working days and 11:00 am to 9 pm on public holidays with a one-hour break for lunch and offering prayers till February 28.

    A total of 776 stalls have been allocated to 534 organizations. The authorities have allotted 142 stalls to 102 organizations at the Bangla Academy ground and 634 stalls to 432 organizations at the Suhrawardy Udyan.

    Last year, a total of 834 stalls were allocated in favour of 540 organizations. Moreover, a total of 35 pavilions have been allocated this year. Apart from this, there are 127 stalls at Little Magazine Chattar, which was 140 in 2021, 155 in 2020.

    Alongside all the necessary health precautions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there are strict security arrangements in and around the venue to prevent any unpleasant incidents.

    The month-long book fair is usually arranged every year in February commemorating the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives on 21 February 1952 for establishing Bangla as the mother tongue.

     The traditional Amar Ekushey Book Fair began informally in 1972 on the Bangla Academy premises. Later, the academy officially took the responsibility to arrange the fair every year.