Ekushey's early edition: Book fair dates shift to dodge election day
In a major calendar shift driven by national priorities, the iconic Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 will now kick off early, on December 17, 2025, and run through January 17, 2026.
The decision, announced Thursday (September 18) at Bangla Academy, comes in anticipation of Bangladesh’s national parliamentary elections scheduled for February 2026.
Organisers say the move aims to ensure the country’s most beloved literary and cultural event unfolds without disruption, steering clear of both the election season and the holy month of Ramadan, which follows shortly after.
Strategic shift to safeguard tradition
The decision was finalized at a high-level meeting held in the Shaheed Munier Chowdhury Conference Room at Bangla Academy. Chaired by Md Mofidur Rahman, Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the session included Professor Mohammad Azam, Director General of Bangla Academy, senior academy officials, and key representatives from the Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association.
“This adjustment ensures that the spirit of Ekushey remains undisturbed free from political turbulence and aligned with the rhythms of our cultural and religious calendar,” said Professor Azam. “The fair must be a space for ideas, not interference.”
Why December?
Traditionally held from February 1 to February 28, commemorating the 1952 Language Movement martyrs of February 21, the fair has become a month-long pilgrimage for readers, writers, and publishers. But with national elections expected in February 2026, authorities feared logistical bottlenecks, security concerns, and potential politicisation of the event.
Adding to the complexity: Ramadan is projected to begin in early March 2026, making February a sensitive and congested period for public gatherings.
By shifting the fair to mid-December through mid-January, organisers gain a clear window, post-Durga Puja and Christmas holidays, pre-election fever, to host the event in peace.
Preparations for Ekushey Book Fair 2026 will begin in October, with stall applications, theme selection, and cultural programming to be rolled out in the coming months.