On the ninth day of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025, the fading winter air of Magh carries stories of resilience.
With 97 new books arriving on Sunday, the fair remains a hub of literary excitement. But beyond the thrill of fresh publications, a deeper narrative is unfolding�one where women are not just telling stories but reclaiming their voices against oppression.
At the heart of the fair�s conversations is �July�r Golpo� (July�s Story), a special event held on Saturday. Speakers reflected on the July Uprising, when female students faced brutal repression, and how, months later, the defeated forces still target them with online harassment.
Among them was Nafisa Islam Sakaafi, a Dhaka University student, who did not hesitate to call out the ongoing attacks. She said, �The way the Awami League physically assaulted female protesters, they are now targeting us online with character assassination attempts. This is no less damaging than physical harassment.�
Jahangirnagar University student Maliha Namlah echoed the outrage.�Expecting remorse from those who killed people in July is foolishness,� she said. �The ruling party has turned politics into authoritarianism. Because I wore a hijab during the protests, they labeled me as a militant and even published lists to brand us extremists. As if my clothing determines whether I have the right to be an activist.�
The discussion, moderated by writer and journalist Zubair Ibn Kamal, resonated deeply, as many in the audience nodded in silent agreement, some holding back tears, others with fists clenched in quiet defiance.
Beyond activism, women writers are leaving their mark on the fair. Acclaimed novelist Debdatta Bandhopaddhay, with her latest book 'The Ultimate Truth' said, "Through my story, I wanted to expose the hidden faces of society�the ones that thrive on exploitation and corruption. In our cities, darkness often hides in plain sight, and the fight against it is not just about justice, but about personal sacrifices. Shatadal Samanta�s journey symbolizes a broader struggle against systemic decay, but it�s a harsh reminder that sometimes, even victory comes at a great cost."
At Rodela Prokashoni's stall (639-641), poet Ishita Zerin recites lines from her latest poem collection 'Tondra O Tomishar Kabbo':"Jiboner progarho tondra bhenge jege uthe dekhi (Waking up from the deep slumber of life, I see), Amar shorire ekhono samudrik sheola, mukta-probaler ghran (The scent of seaweed, pearls, and coral still lingers on my body), Kopale anka royeche mohajagatik dhulor nokshatroboti ulki (A cosmic dust-laden constellation tattoo is drawn on my forehead) Gohin tondrachchhonna noyone agnyay mohokalprobino nilche nirob alo (In my deep trance-filled eyes rests the ancient, blue-hued, silent light of eternity)."
The applause is thunderous, but the message is clear�women are no longer waiting to be heard.
But the fair is not just about established writers�it is also creating new opportunities for women in the workforce. More women than ever before are working in various stalls as salespersons, breaking the stereotype that bookselling is a male-dominated profession.
At Dimik Prokashoni, Munia Afrin, a young bookseller, greets customers with enthusiasm. �I have always loved books, and working here allows me to be surrounded by them,� she shares. �Many people used to be surprised to see a woman selling books, but that is changing now.�
Steps ahead at Pankouri Publication, Suda Reza Easha echoes the sentiment. �It�s not just about selling books. We engage in conversations, recommend titles, and even get to meet our favorite authors. This job gives me financial independence and intellectual fulfillment.�
The book fair is not just a paradise for book lovers but also a playground for children, who may not yet appreciate the weight of words but find endless joy in the sights and sounds around them.
Clusters of children dart between stalls, not in search of books but drawn to the vibrant little treasures that street vendors offer. Wooden flying birds, painted in bright red and blue, flap their wings when spun in the air. Little hands clutch light balloons, glowing softly against the evening sky, their strings tangled as excited kids tug at them. The air shimmers with soap bubbles, floating and bursting in delicate rainbows, as giggling children chase after them with outstretched hands.
The air is thick with chatter, camera flashes, and the tempting aroma of street food. While the fair is meant to celebrate literature, many visitors seem more drawn to the vibrant atmosphere than to the books themselves.
One of the biggest attractions this year is the Batighar Pavilion, its elegant decor making it a prime spot for photography. Young people pose in front of its artistic backdrop, adjusting their scarves, tilting their glasses, perfecting their angles before capturing the perfect shot. Social media feeds are flooded with posts from the fair, filled with dreamy captions rather than book recommendations.
Other stalls, decorated with fairy lights and artistic installations, serve as selfie hotspots, with groups of friends giggling as they struggle to fit everyone into the frame. Some visitors stroll lazily from stall to stall, touching books but rarely flipping through them, as if their main goal is to be seen rather than to read.
If there�s one place where people gather enthusiastically, it�s the food section. The smoky aroma of sizzling kebabs, steaming biryani, and crispy fuchkas fills the air. The fuchka stalls are particularly crowded, offering a twist�five types of flavored water. Customers debate over their favorites, from the tangy tamarind to the spicy mint-infused option.
Children tug at their parents� hands, begging for ice cream, while groups of young people laugh over plates of snacks, dipping their crispy fuchkas into flavored water with practiced ease. Families settle down on benches with plates of biryani, their book bags resting beside them, mostly untouched.
Even as night falls, the fair buzzes with conversations. Poetry recitals, book launches, quiet discussions over steaming cups of tea�all echo the struggles and dreams of a generation that refuses to be silenced.
The Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2025 is not just about books this year. It is about women reclaiming their space, their words, and their future.
