The Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela experienced a lively gathering of readers and visitors of all ages, particularly children, on Saturday, marking the tenth day of the fair.

During the morning hours, the fairgrounds buzzed with the energy of children and their guardians, celebrating the fourth Shishu Prohor of the event.

As the day progressed, visitors of all ages flocked to the fairgrounds, creating a bustling atmosphere that lasted well into the evening.

The Shishu Chattar in Suhrawardy Udyan, dedicated to children, came alive during the Shishu Prohor from 11am to 1pm, attracting a myriad of young participants.

Children enthusiastically engaged in various activities, from playing games to purchasing books and participating in photo sessions with beloved characters from the popular children’s series, Sisimpur.

Laughter and excitement filled the air as children interacted with their favourite Sisimpur characters – Tuktuki, Halum, Ikri, and Shiku – amidst a vibrant atmosphere.

Rafid, a fourth-grader, explored the fairgrounds with his father in search of his favourite books. “I am having a great time at the book fair. I have already bought

two books and enjoyed the performances by Sisimpur characters,” he exclaimed.

Nazifa, a fifth-grade student, shared her love for storybooks, particularly ghost stories, as she eagerly browsed through stalls and purchased two books.

“I have bought two storybooks and had a fantastic time meeting Tuktuki and Halum at Sisimpur,” she joyfully shared.

Farukh Ahmad, a father attending with his son to watch the Sisimpur performances, expressed concerns about the limited space available.

He remarked, “The space for children is a bit small, leaving many standing outside unable to fully enjoy the Sisimpur programme. A larger space would enhance the experience.”

Despite space constraints, Farukh emphasised the importance of such events in fostering community spirit and learning among children, delighted to witness their collective engagement and enjoyment.

Farjana Islam, a mother attending with her children, expressed appreciation for the opportunity for children to explore the world of knowledge.

“As a mother, I value the dedicated time for children, making the fair more inclusive and enjoyable for families,” she remarked.

As the day progressed, the crowd of book lovers of all ages swelled, particularly in the evening due to the holiday.

Publishers reported satisfying sales as visitors indulged in the vast selection of books available. Mamunur Rashid, a sales representative at the Bangla Academy Pavilion, noted, “Sales have been strong since the first day, especially with the weekend crowd boosting book sales significantly.”

On the tenth day of the book fair, a discussion titled “Tribute on Birth Centenary: Suchitra Mitra” took place on the main stage at 4pm, chaired by Mafidul Haque.

Saim Rana presented the keynote paper, while Shakil Hashmi and Anima Roy served as discussants.

According to the Bangla Academy, 152 new books debuted at the book fair on that day.

Poet and translator Zillur Rahman, fiction writer Palash Majumdar, children’s writer Ahmed Riaz, and essayist Motahar Hossain Mahabub discussed their new books at the Lekhok Bolchi stage.

Today, on the eleventh day of the book fair, a discussion on “Birth Centenary Tribute: Kalim Sharafi” is scheduled on the main stage at 4pm, with Sarwar Morshed presenting the keynote paper and Mahmud Selim and Golam Morshed participating in the discussion, chaired by Rezwana Choudhury Bannya.