DHAKA:  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair on the Bangla Academy premises on Friday afternoon (February 1).

With this, Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated this yearly event for booklovers and publishers 16 times.

Prior to inaugural ceremony, the premier handed awards over to four poets who are honored with Bangla Academy Sahitya Puroshkar.

Afterwards, she delivered a speech.

The prime minister said, “The book fair is not only about buying and selling. Rather, the book fair is the fair of Bangalis’ hearts.”

Bangla Academy president Prof. Anisuzzaman presided over the event.

Indian poet Shankha Ghosh and Egyptian writer and researcher Mohsen-Al Aresi attended the event.

The book fair will remain open for all from 3 pm to 9 pm on working days and 8:30 am to 9 pm on government holidays with a one-hour break for lunch and offering prayers.

It will continue till February 28.

BDST: 1744 HRS, FEB 1, 2019

AH