Gearing up for the Ekushey book fair

Suhrawardy Udyan is brimming with energy. The Ekushey Boimela begins tomorrow, and publishers are busy setting up stalls and pavilions throughout the park. Soon its greenery will be replaced by thousands of visitors and a copious amount of books.

This year's Boimela is set to start from March 18, running all the way till April 14. As time is of the essence, construction is going on in full swing.

Visiting the Boimela premises yesterday, this correspondent could hear little beyond the incessant sound of hammering and the buzzing noise of chainsaws. Those who are done building their stalls are now busy with painting.

Publishers are regular faces at the ground -- to monitor and supervise the construction. They spoke to this correspondent about the thought that went behind stall and pavilion designs. Known for their design artistry, Boimela is home to lots of shapes and colours during its runtime.

Among the popular publications, Anannya has already finished erecting theirs. They are now focusing on painting. True to form, Katha Prakash is at it with their innovative pavilion designs, while Anya Prakash is creating intrigue with theirs.

As inauguration looms, publisher of Biswa Sahitya Bhaban Tofajjal  Hossain said, "We're trying to wow our visitors with our stall designs.  We're working hard for it."

The Boimela will be home to 522 entities this year, with 32 of them leasing pavilions. Bangla Academy will also have its own pavilion. Like every year, the fair will have little mag corner this time too.

There will also be four shades this year, mostly due to the forecast of rain and storm for the month.

Till afternoon on Fridays and Saturdays, the fair will continue to be specially organised for children.

The book fair is also known for its patriotic fervour, and this year will be no different. There will also be a special focus on Mujib Borsho and golden jubilee of the independence. Both themes will grace everything in the fair, from publications to aesthetics.

To mark the 50th year of the Independence, this year's fair will showcase these five decades with distinct presentations, said organisers.

For the last two years, the Boimela took place on an 800 sq ft area. This has been increased by another 700 sq ft. This is mostly due to the need for social distancing in the times of coronavirus. To thwart its threat, masks have been declared mandatory, while there will be sanitiser available at the gates, they added.

There will also be four different entrances to the Boimela, along with parking facilities.