Ekushey Book fair shortened, now to end on Monday

The Amar Ekushey Boi Mela-2021 has been shortened and now will be closed on Monday due to the fresh surge of death and infection rate of coronavirus in the country, M A Khalid, state minister for Cultural Affairs said on Saturday.

The fair, traditionally organised in the month of February, was postponed due to the pandemic and the 28-day event was scheduled to end on April 14.

But, in the evolving situation of coronavirus, the authority has decided to close the fair, Khalid told media this noon.

This year’s book fair has been dedicated to the martyrs of 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh.

The main theme of the fair is “Birth Centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Golden Jubilee of Independence.”

Though the month-long fair commemorating the 1952 Language Movement is usually held in February every year, this year's event has been delayed due to the pandemic.