Editorial
Let Boi Mela be more vibrant
It should take on an international character
From a casually arranged weekly fair, the Ekushey Boi Mela over the past decade has evolved into a month long book festival which now constitutes the most anticipated cultural event of the country. The fair as well as featuring works by well-known authors brings into light the emerging new voices in different genres.
On the whole, by way of arranging regular seminars and conferences focused on the history of the language movement and the liberation war, it has come to rekindle the past glories of our collective struggles. More to the point, it bridges the past with the present thus fostering among the youth a sense of identity based on linguistic unity.
At a time when people in general are shrinking away from books due to the pervasive grip of media and internet, the fair is giving a positive spur to people's reading habit. By adding thousands of new titles every year, it has also given a boost to our publishing industry.
The world of translation has added quite a new dimension by introducing our readers with the facets of world literature. We nonetheless believe that time has come for Bangla Academy to impart the fair an international character on a broader scale by inviting renowned foreign publishing houses. This is more so because 21st February has been made sacrosanct globally since it now marks the International Mother Language Day, a celebratory occasion for all languages in the world.
We know that it is a matter of pride for the Bangla Academy to arrange the fair on its premises. But given the intrinsic significance of the fair and the tremendous enthusiasm of publishers and book lovers drawn to the event, it is of utmost importance that the academy expand the venue from next year beyond its premises to nearby grounds such as the Suhrawardy Udyan. That way the connection to the Bangla Academy will remain intact. In fact, it will acquire an entirely new meaning and dimension with the academy as the organiser leaving its imprint on a much bigger fair.
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