A Book Fair
A book fair is a fair where different types of books are brought for sale and show. It has created a sense of interest for books amongst the general mass. There is a great importance of a book fair in the cultural activities of a nation. It is generally held on certain occasions of national importance. Nowadays, book fairs are becoming more and more popular in Bangladesh. These are held in different cities and towns on different occasions of national significance days such as ‘Ekusher Boi Mela’ in the Bangla Academy Campus. Every year a book fair (exhibition) is arranged on the campus. Book fairs are now held in district towns also. The popularity of book fairs is increasing day by day with the advancement of civilization.
In a book fair, some publishers set up stalls. It is held in a large open space enclosed on all sides. Book lovers such as the teachers, the students, the poets, the writers, the service holders and, some common people crowd there to make their choice and buy books from the stalls. The stalls are beautifully decorated and lighted in order to draw the attention of the customers. Hundreds of stalls are set up by the publishers and booksellers to display their books. Books of different tastes are displayed in the stalls in an attractive way. Consequently, readers can have a chance to meet their favorite authors. However, a book fair spreads the message that books are our best friends and companions. In fact, a book fair enriches our outlook and makes our life more meaningful.
Book fairs like this are very essential for people of such a developing country like Bangladesh. We all know that the literacy rate of our country is around 31 percent, a very small figure. Again, those who are literate seldom read books of their own accord. Such fairs, obviously, increase the number of readers and book-lovers. It helps to create new writers also as well as new readers. The nation which does not read books cannot prosper. We need to read more and more and learn accordingly. It inspires people to form the habit of reading books. We all should know more than what we do. It reminds us that books are our best companion. We should know what we know as well as what we do not know.
Book fairs are an excellent idea of the modern age. We all should bolster the establishment of book fairs more than two times a year. Thus it increases our knowledge and improves our lives. We all should buy books and read them.
