As the month of language movement begins on Saturday (Feb 1), the country’s people will pay tributes to the valiant sons of the soil who were killed during the language movement in the month of February in 1952.
The Bengali nation achieved the dignity of their mother tongue on Feb 21, 1952, through the supreme sacrifices made by Salam, Shafiq, Barkat, Rafique and others during a massive movement.
February is the month of mourning. Yet, it is a matter of dignity for the nation as only the Bangalees have sacrificed lives for their own language.
The Language Day — Feb 21 — is also recognized as the International Mother Language Day.
A month-long book fair will begin on Feb 2 instead of Feb 1 on account of Dhaka City Corporations’ polls. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the fair as the chief guest at Bangla Academy at 3 pm there, reports BSS.
The theme of the fair is ‘Birth centenary of Bangabandhu’ marking ‘Mujib Borsha’, Bangla Academy Director General Habibullah Sirajee told BSS.
Marking the ‘Mujib Borsho’, Bangla Academy has planned to publish 100 books on the life and works of Bangabandhu over the next three years and as part of it, the academy will publish 28 books this year.
The Ekushey book fair is dedicated to Bangabandhu this year and decorated the whole fair premises with the theme ‘Bangabandhu’.
Meanwhile, a two-day 34th national poetry festival (Jatiya Kabita Utsab) titled ‘Mujib Amar Swadhinotar Omar Kabber Kobi’ will begin on the central library premises of the Dhaka University in the capital from Feb 2.
Noted poet of the country and Ekushey Padak winner Mahadev Saha will inaugurate the festival.
A total of three veteran poets and language fighters will be honored by Jatiya Kobita Parishad.