DHAKA, Jan 31, 2025 (BSS) - The preparations for Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025, which will begin on Suhrawardy Udyan and the Bangla Academy premises tomorrow, are in the final stage.

A number of publishers said that they have already completed the preparations for the month-long book fair.

During a visit to the fair venue today, it was found that workers, including masons, carpenters, painters and electricians were busy in preparing the pavilions and stalls or giving the finishing touches to those.

Owners of publishing houses and organizations were seen supervising the decoration work of the  pavilions and stalls almost round-the-clock.

Among the 708 publishers participating in the book fair, 99 stalls have been set up on the Bangla Academy premises, while 609 at Suhrawardy Udyan. A total of 937 stalls have been allocated to 635 organizations on the book fair last year.

The fair will feature 37 pavilions- one at Bangla Academy and 36 at Suhrawardy Udyan while the Little Magazine Corner will be situated under the trees near the open stage in Suhrawardy Udyan, accommodating around 130 little magazine stalls.

Talking to BSS, most of the pavilion owners and  publishers expressed their hope that they would be able to put books on show at their stalls before the fair inauguration.

Johirul Abedin Jewel, publisher of Ittyadi Prokashoni, told BSS that they have completed all the arrangements of their pavilion.

However, construction of a good number of book stalls were under progress as workers were seen busy in setting up bookshelves in some stalls.

Talking to BSS some stall owners said it will take one or two more days to complete the stall structure.

Some pick-up trucks and vans have been seen bringing books to the stalls.

Meanwhile, to make the movement of visitors to the fair venue, the Dhaka University authorities have lifted its previously imposed restriction on vehicular movement inside the campus.

Now there will be no restriction on movement of vehicles from February 1 to February 28, according to a notification issued by the DU proctor office.

 DU authorities have also decided to allow parking of vehicles of the visitors of the book fair at the ground adjacent to Hazi Mohammad Muhsin Hall during the month-long fair.