Dhaka: The 18-day Oitijjhya Book Carnival 2025, organized to celebrate the silver jubilee of Oitijjhya Publishing House, drew to a close at Bangla Academy with notable public participation and engaging programs for book enthusiasts.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the event featured seven shops set up by Oitijjhya Publishing House on the Bangla Academy premises. Attendees explored various stalls, interacted with sellers, and described the atmosphere as engaging. Many visitors expressed their delight in discovering books by different authors and took advantage of the opportunity to purchase their preferred titles.
Jannatul Naeem, a visitor, shared that the book fair was her favorite destination, with books available at a 71 percent discount. Another visitor, Zubair Helal from Uttara, attended the carnival with friends after hearing about the event. Sihab, a seller at the 'Nirbachito' stall, noted that sales were strong, particularly in the afternoons and evenings, with a high turnout from students of Dhaka University and nearby areas.
Books by Bangladeshi, Indian, and international authors, including American and Oxford titles, were in high demand. Sihab highlighted that most books at the fair were by Bangladeshi authors, with substantial discounts driving sales. Children's books and literature on the July Uprising, Liberation War, and Language Movement also sold well.
Fair manager Mohammad Hossain Khan Kajal mentioned that the annual fair was expanded for the 25th anniversary. He stated that Oitijjhya operates several branches across the country, including Nirbachito, Kakatua, Sutar, Grifar English Publications, and Ilham Islamic book publications, and showcased works from over 30 authors at the fair. The carnival also saw the release of 30 new books.
The publication organized several programs to attract readers and visitors, including theatre performances, open quizzes, live Q and A sessions, book review competitions, and various interactive sessions with publishers and writers. These activities fostered a community of book lovers from across the country.