DHAKA: The prestigious "Bangla Academy Sahitya Award 2014" in seven categories was announced Thursday afternoon ahead of the month-long Ekushey book fair beginning from the first day of February.

Bangla Academy director general Dr Shamsuzzaman Khan declared the names of the winners at a press conference at Dr Muhammad Shaidullah Bhaban of the state-run body which works for promoting Bangla language and literature.

Shihab Sarkar won the award in the category of poetry while Zakir Talukder in novel, Shantonu Kaysar in essay, Bhuiyan Iqbal in research, Abu Mohammad Delowar in literature on liberation war affairs, Moinus Sultan in travelogue and Khaleq Bin Zoyenuddin in literature for children.

Bangla Academy secretary Mohammad Altaf Hossain and director Aparesh Kumar Banerjee among other high officials of the academy were present at the conference.

The academy, however, could not consider anyone in translation, drama and science, technology and environment categories for the year.

Each of the winners will receive a certificate and a crest from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the inaugural ceremony of the country’s largest book fair on February 1.

BDST: 1820 HRS, JAN 29, 2015