The Amar Ekushey Book Fair will definitely be held and on time, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Sunday.

Speaking at a discussion titled 'What Kind of Book Fair We Want' at the National Press Club, he said that although some coordination might be needed due to the current situation, it would not be a major issue.

The Bangla Academy, he added, would consult publishers and the Ministry of Culture to reach a decision acceptable to all.

He said the book fair should be a place where books of all genres and by all authors are available. “Readers should have the freedom to choose the books they want. No one can be forced. Only when a reader can take the book of his choice will that book enrich his knowledge,” he added.

Criticizing a “special class of broker publishers and writers” during the previous government, Shafiqul said many had earned crores of taka by publishing and selling books in the name of the Sheikh family. “People were forced to buy books about what someone did while sitting by a pond in Tungipara. These have not enriched knowledge,” he said, alleging that one journalist sold books worth Tk 11 crore in this manner.

For the past 15 years, he added, such practices have distorted the purpose of the book fair.

The press secretary said this year’s fair should reflect diversity, where people can find books on history, science, politics, literature, and poetry — a fair that celebrates life and knowledge. He stressed that there should be no discrimination in publishing, selling, or reading books.

Shafiqul expressed hope that this year’s book fair would be “even more beautiful.”

The discussion was presided over by Sayeed Bari, president of the Anti-Discrimination Creative Book Publishers Association.

Among others, National Poetry Council President Mohan Raihan, veteran journalist Gaziul Hasan Khan, writer-researcher Faiz Alam, journalist-writer Sirajul Islam Qadir, senior publisher Gafur Hossain, Kazi Zahirul Islam Bulbul, and students Fatema Akhtar (Begum Badrunnesa Govt College) and Daheka Anjum Sadia (AIUB) spoke at the event.

At the programme, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam also unveiled the covers of 17 new books.