The book fair’s opening started on 4 September 2022 with a minute’s silence observed at the festival dedicated to Abdul Ghaffar Chowdhury, British writer, Journalist, columnist, political analyst and poet. He wrote the lyrics to “Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano Ekushey February.” The auspicious opening of the festival was announced with the performance of the National Anthem by Udichi Satyen Sen Art and Performance.
The opening ceremony was presided over by the organisation’s president, poet Maynoor Rahman Babul, and the organisation’s general secretary, poet AKM Abdullah. In the opening ceremony on the first day of the two-day fair, Nobel Prize winner Amartya Sen could not attend a video message that conveyed his best wishes for the fair’s success.
Gauhar Rizvi, International Affairs Adviser to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, was the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony.
His opening speech remarked that the awakening created in Bengali literature and poetry should be known to the world. The world should know there has been a revival in Bengali literature and poetry. Furthermore, that responsibility must be taken by the diaspora, not only Bengali but now the language is needed, said Gowhar Rizvi, Advisor to the Prime Minister on International Affairs.
The special guest was the Hon’ble High Commissioner of Bangladesh in the UK.
Sayeda Muna Tasneem. Also other guests including President, United Kingdom Awami League president Sultan Mahmud Sharif poet, Dr ShahaduzzamanPoet, lyricist, editor Dhunghur, Dr Humayun Kabir, former Executive Editor of Ittefaq, currently Editor Weekly Sunday, Freedom fighter, writer Syed Tosharaf Ali.
Journalist Nawab Uddin, the former president of London Bangla Press Club, who came to the fair, said that the organisation of the organisers deserves praise. Still, many people were unsatisfied with the book’s price, so many people returned without buying the book. Therefore, arrangements should be made to reduce the transportation cost of books through Bangladesh Biman or the High Commission so that expatriates can purchase books at a relatively low price.
For the first time, a combined literary and cultural medal was awarded to poet Nuruzzaman Mani. The Honorable High Commissioner praised the organisation and said that the new generation of British Bangladeshis should be involved in these events. Bangladesh High Commission will always be with you.
A total of 15 Bangladeshi publishing houses, including Bangla Academy, participated in the fair.
The two-day long tenth Bangladesh Book Fair, Literary and Cultural Festival started y on 4 September in London, United Kingdom. To join this celebration of the life of expatriates, yesterday, the Art Pavilion Vanuti of London’s Mile End turned into a meeting fair for expatriate artists, writers, poets, journalists and book lovers.
Much enthusiasm is observed among the community regarding organising the second day of the fair. Many are happy to sit in London and buy books of their choice. Farid Ahmed, the leader of Time Publishing, said that we had brought many books with one copy because the transportation of books is costly. If they were not sold, it is complicated to take them back, so if we want to have to participate with limited books.
The fair’s final day includes the unveiling ceremony of books published by expatriate writers and cultural programs.