Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said efforts would continue to secure UN recognition for Bangla and proposed turning the Amar Ekushey Book Fair into an international event in the coming years.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 at Bangla Academy, he also stressed the importance of promoting reading habits and increasing the publication of research-based books.

“In the course of time, you may consider whether, in the coming years, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair could be organised as the Amar Ekushey International Book Fair,” the prime minister said.

Tarique said an international Amar Ekushey Book Fair will not only introduce our citizens to world literature but also encourage them to learn about and understand multiple languages and cultures.

“I believe that, in today’s global village, it is essential to be familiar with not only our mother tongue but also with several other languages,” he said.

To achieve prosperity and dignity in this competitive world, the Prime Minister said there is no alternative to building a knowledge- and talent-based society.

“We must enrich ourselves through knowledge, science, technology, and skill. At the same time, our efforts to secure recognition for Bangla as an official language of the United Nations will continue,” he said.

The Prime Minister also reflected on the distinctive identity of Bangladesh’s book fair.

He noted that while book fairs are held in many countries, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair is unique, symbolising the achievement of language rights and the establishment of Bangla as the state language.

“Although the size and scale of the fair increase every year, there is currently scope for thought on whether research-based publications are increasing at the same rate, and whether citizens’ reading habits are developing accordingly,” the prime minister said.

Later, the prime minister formally inaugurated the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026, the annual gathering for book lovers and publishers in the capital, around 3:12 pm.

He also visited several stalls at the fair and bought a number of books.

The Bangla Academy organised the country’s largest book fair at its premises and the adjoining Suhrawardy Udyan.

The fair will remain open from 2 pm to 9 pm on regular days, with entry closing at 8:30 pm. On holidays, it will run from 11 am to 9 pm.

At the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister presented the Bangla Academy Sahitya Puroshkar 2026 to eight distinguished personalities for their outstanding contributions to Bangla literature.

This year’s recipients are: Nasima Anis for fiction, Syed Azizul Huq for essays and prose, Hasan Hafiz for children’s literature, Ali Ahmad for translation, Mustafa Majid and Israil Khan for research, Farseem Mannan Mohammedy for science, and Moidul Hasan for works on the Liberation War.

Unlike previous years, the fair began at the end of February instead of February 1 due to the national election held on February 12.

The ceremony began at 2 pm with the national anthem and a recitation of religious scriptures. A one-minute silence was observed in tribute to the martyrs of the Language Movement, the Liberation War, and the July mass uprising.

Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, Chairman of Bangla Academy, chaired the inaugural session. Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury, State Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam, Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman, and Bangla Academy Director General Prof Mohammad Azam, among others, addressed the programme.

Prime Minister’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and his daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman were present. Cabinet members, members of parliament, notable citizens, writers, publishers, and senior civil and military officials also attended.

Organisers promised a 'zero-waste' and environmentally conscious edition of the country’s largest literary gathering.

This year’s fair carries the theme 'Multidimensional Bangladesh' and will continue until 15 March.