Paris International Book Fair Brings Bangladeshi Writers and Readers Together
The second ‘Paris Times International Book Fair 2026’ was recently held in the French capital, Paris, transforming into a vibrant celebration of Bengali literature and culture with the participation of around 30 authors and 25 stalls from France, various European countries, and Bangladesh. Hosted in an elite hall, the event brought together writers, poets, publishers, and cultural activists to foster the development of Bengali literature abroad and encourage new readers.
The inauguration ceremony commenced with the rendition of the national anthems of Bangladesh and France, directed by Emdadul Haque Shopno, followed by a solemn one-minute silence for the martyrs of the Language Movement and the Liberation War. The fair was officially inaugurated by Kazi Nidhi Ullah, proprietor of the Paris Times, with writer Hasanuzzaman Ripon and chief patron Kazi Enayet Ullah attending as special guests, alongside keynote speaker, valiant freedom fighter, and naval commando Enamul Haque.
Recognizing notable contributions to literature and culture, eight individuals, Hasanuzzaman Ripon, Enamul Haque, Robishankar Maitree, Arif Rana, Lokman Ahmmad Apon, Riaz Ahmed Jewel, Prokash Roy, and Soyeb Mozammel, were honored with special awards during the ceremony, while participating stalls received certificates of appreciation. The cultural segment featured an engaging poetry session directed by poet Robishankar Maitree, alongside musical performances rendered by Zakaria, Kazi Arif Rana, Shahadat Hossain Roni, and Imtiaz Ahmed under the direction of Romana Mansur and Al Amin.
An art competition for children and adolescents was also organized, with prizes handed out to the winners during the event, which saw the presence of numerous prominent community figures, including Subrata Bhattacharya Shuvo, Selim Reza, Shahjahan Sharu, Mizan Sarkar, Hasnat Jahan, Obaidul Islam Riyad, Azam Khan, Hafizur Rahman, and Ali Akkas. Highlighting the core mission of the gathering, speakers noted that such initiatives play a crucial role in sustaining the practice of the Bengali language abroad and introducing its historic struggles to the new generation.
The enriching event concluded movingly with the collective rendition of the iconic song ‘Amar Bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February,’ followed by the official closing declaration delivered by Kazi Enayet Ullah, the chief advisor of the Paris Times. Organizers emphasized that the fair successfully fulfilled its primary objectives of strengthening cultural ties among Bengali-speaking communities across Europe and inspiring future literary endeavors.
