Amar Ekushey Book Fair was thronged by thousands of visitors on public holidays—Friday and Saturday.

Public crowd defying blockade imposed by 20-Party Alliance brought the exhibition to its life.

Unlike the first several days, a good number of people of all ages were seen strolling in vibrant mood around different stalls at both Bangla Academy premise and Suhrawardy Udyan.

The enthusiasm and spontaneous participations of the booklovers also put smile on the faces of the worrying publishers who feared that the prevailing uncertainty due to BNP-led 20-Party Alliance’s non-stop blockade and intermittent hartal might put their book business in jeopardy.

‘Though sale is not good, I’m glad that booklovers are attending the fair on the weekends,’ said Mohiuddin, a representative at Agamee Prakashani’s stall at the Shurawardy Uddayan.

Big crowds were seen at popular stalls, including the fair’s hot favourite publisher Anyaprakash Publication, which brings out late novelist Humayun Ahmed’s books, and at stalls that were selling juvenile books.

Imtiaz Ahmed, who is a civil servant and came to book fair with his wife and daughter, said on Saturday that there was risk on the streets but he could not afford to miss the weekend.

‘It’s really dangerous to go out with family these days, but my daughter was too impatient to come and buy books, and honestly speaking, so was I,’ said Imtiaz playfully.

Noted writer Zakir Talukder, who received Bangla Academy Literature Award 2014, said so many people are participating in the fair as their mute protest against the ongoing violence.

“Unarmed protest against threat and injustice is an instinctive characteristic of Bangladeshi people and they are doing exactly the same by participating in this year’s book fair,” Zakir Talukder added.

Many stall owners, however, expressed their dismay saying that comparing with last year there are way less number of people coming to fair on weekend this year. Political agitation is what they blamed for such low visitor participation.

But, member secretary of the Fair Management Committee, Jalal Uddin, also the director of Bangla Academy, reiterated that more people will come to the fair in the coming days.

On the seventh day (Saturday) of the fair, a discussion was held at Bangla Academy premise marking the birth centenary of late National Professor Abdur Razzaq. Among others, the discussion was attended by finance minister AMA Muhith.

A total of 198 new books came to the fair while 10 news books were launched on Saturday. Besides, a drawing competition was held on Friday as it was the first day of children hours in the fair.