Dhaka: The Amar Ekushey Book Fair has seen a remarkable turnout of literature revolving around the historic July uprising, which led to the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina-led government, marking an end to a prolonged authoritarian regime. Over 100 books focusing on this pivotal event have been released, capturing the interest of visitors at this year’s fair.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the literary offerings include a wide array of genres such as non-fiction, poetry, and short stories, depicting the significant moments of the July uprising and shedding light on the 16 years of Awami League’s governance. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement stall, along with various publishers, has noted the surge in interest among the younger generation, eager to learn about what is deemed the most significant event in Bangladesh since the Liberation War in 1971.
Mohammad Nazim Uddin, owner of Baatighar Publications, highlighted the growing curiosity among young readers towards books on the July uprising. He mentioned that Baatighar has published works like “July-er-Golpo” and “Lal Bosonto Dinlipi,” which have garnered considerable attention. Similarly, Sajjad Sharif, editor of “July Gono Obbhuttaner Sakkho” published by Prothoma, emphasized the importance of documenting the uprising through literature, including stories from diverse individuals and social media archives.
Zahid Ahsan from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement stall noted the ongoing excitement for books on the uprising. He stressed the need for unbiased historical accounts, urging writers to avoid exaggerations that could cloud the factual history of events in Bangladesh. A new book, “Tomar Chokhe Juli (July Through Your Eyes),” featuring firsthand accounts from those involved in the uprising, is set to be released soon.
Poets have also contributed to the literary portrayal of the uprising. Poliar Wahid’s poetry collection “Guli o Gaddar (Bullets and Traitors)” reflects on the uprising’s events and honors its martyrs and injured. Shakil, a sales representative at Prothoma, observed that books on the uprising are being eagerly purchased, illustrating a strong public desire to understand this significant historical event.
Noteworthy publications include “Hashtag July Biplob” by Farzana Mahbub and “Ekti Golaper Jonno” by Sabbir Jadid, which are among the bestsellers at the fair. The literary output is not limited to prose and poetry; noted author and researcher Badruddin Umar has contributed with “Bangladesh-e-July-er-Gono Obbhutthan,” whose first edition has already sold out.
The Amar Ekushey Book Fair continues to be a crucial platform for exploring the narratives and histories that have shaped Bangladesh, with the July uprising being a focal point of this year’s event. The fair reflects a broader interest in revisiting and documenting pivotal moments in the nation’s history through the power of literature.