The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 begins today, Thursday, February 26, in Dhaka after multiple schedule changes and months of debate among publishers and organizers. The fair, organized by Bangla Academy, will run until March 15 and is being inaugurated by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. This year’s event coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, prompting special arrangements including fair pricing for iftar, prayer facilities, and extended evening hours. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has implemented a three-tier security plan for the fairgrounds.

Earlier, the fair’s start date was shifted several times due to the national election and Ramadan. Publishers’ groups had protested the delays and even held a symbolic fair on February 1. Following negotiations led by the new cultural affairs minister and state minister, the fair was rescheduled with waived stall fees and no pavilions. A total of 549 publishing houses are participating across 1,018 units, including 87 little magazines and 63 children’s publishers.

Security measures include 24-hour police monitoring, special patrols, and traffic restrictions around the fair area. Organizers have also pledged to maintain a clean, smoke-free, and polythene-free environment throughout the event.