Curtain falls on book fair amid sales worth Tk17 crore

The 2026 Amar Ekushey Book Fair concluded on Sunday after 17 days, recording estimated sales of around Tk17 crore, amid publishers’ claims of comparatively lower attendance and reduced sales, attributed to political uncertainty and the fair’s schedule during the holy month of Ramadan. Bangla Academy organised a closing ceremony on the final day.
While the fair traditionally attracts large crowds of readers, writers, and publishers, many participants noted that turnout and sales were lower this year compared with previous editions. Presenting the closing report, fair organising committee member-secretary Md Selim Reza said the estimated total was calculated based on data from participating publishing houses.
Out of 584 institutions participating, 570 were publishing organisations. According to information from 269 of them, combined sales during the fair reached around Tk8 crore. Based on this average, total sales were estimated at approximately Tk17 crore. Bangla Academy itself sold books worth Tk17 lakh 4,629 from its own stalls until 14 March.
However, the platform Prakashak Oikya (Publishers’ Unity) rejected Bangla Academy’s claim. In a statement, the platform — representing more than 300 publishers — questioned the basis of the figure and demanded clarification on how it was calculated.
“We demand clarification on the basis of this inflated figure and how it was determined, especially in light of the book sales data collected during Ramadan at this year’s fair. We insist on full disclosure of the data and categorically reject this figure as entirely false,” the statement said. It was signed by several publishers, including Mahrukh Mohiuddin (UPL), Munirul Haq (Ananya), Syed Zakir Hossain (Adorn Publication), Gafur Hossain (Rhythm Prokashoni), AK Nasir Ahmad Selim (Kakoli), Milon Kanti Nath (Anupam), and Mahbubur Rahman (Adarsho).
Data analysis revealed that several smaller publishing houses recorded higher sales than larger ones, suggesting that readers’ interest in specific titles played a greater role than stall size in determining sales. A total of 1,068 unit stalls were allocated across Bangla Academy premises and Suhrawardy Udyan, including 111 units in the children’s section representing 63 institutions and 90 stalls in the Little Magazine area. Organisers reported that 1,771 new books were submitted to the fair’s information centre by 14 March, with 252 registered as unwrapped publications; however, the actual number of newly published books may be higher.
Speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury acknowledged initial uncertainty over holding the fair due to national elections and law-and-order concerns. He highlighted the importance of strengthening culture, education, and the economy to build an inclusive, democratic Bangladesh, recalling the country’s history from the Language Movement to the Liberation War and recent political developments.