Some 273 new titles were released at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair on Friday amid a huge crowd.

The fair that began with a moderate crowd at 11am witnessed huge gathering of book lovers in the afternoon, just before the evening, reports the UNB.  

Sellers were found busy with the crowd while huge visitors were found waiting to reach every entry point of the fair.

A total of 2,349, including the 16th day’s entrants, have so far hit the month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair.

Moreover, children celebrated the Shishu Prohor (special hours for the children) from 11:00am to 1:00pm on Friday while the same schedule will be allotted for the children on Saturday.

Competitions on General Knowledge and Public Speaking for children and teenagers were held on the academy premises where Professor Robaet Ferdous was present as the guest.

Taranna Tabassum Lim, Showli Shamriza and Tasfia Chowdhury got the 1st, 2nd and 3rd position in the public speaking competition while Nusaiba Naznin Khan, Muntajim Rahman Saymon and Syeda Karim Misha placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the general knowledge competition.

Poetry volumes continue to dominate the genres in terms of numbers.

Publishers from across the country are publishing a huge number of books on different issues every day while Bangla Academy is exhibiting some 141 newly printed and reprinted books.

On Friday, the regular discussion focusing on Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury was held at 4pm in the main stage with Sharif Uddin Ahmed presenting the keynote speech.

On the other hand, regular discussion on A K M Ahsan, Khan Shamsur Rahman and Mujibul Haque will be held.

M Mokammel and Professor Abdul Momin Choudhury will be discussants while emeritus professor will preside over the discussion followed by a cultural event.

Books are being sold at 25 per cent discount while transaction through the bKash is offering further 10 per cent discount.