The Cumilla District Book Fair 2025 has become one of the season’s most significant cultural events, drawing attention to the value of books, reading habits, and literary consciousness in Bangladesh. According to New Age Bangladesh, the fair is jointly organised by the Cumilla District Administration and the National Book Centre. Spanning nine days, it aims to foster a reading culture and encourage young people to engage deeply with literature.

Inaugural Session Highlights

The opening session delivered a memorable message: “A good book can be a good friend to your child.” This underscores the widely recognized view that reading nurtures empathy, broadens perspectives, and strengthens cognitive development. Organisers stressed the importance of giving children and young readers access to meaningful literature to help them grow into responsible and sensitive citizens.

Reading as a Tool for Social Change

A central theme of the fair is the role of sensitivity in social progress. Speakers noted that societies advance not only through economic policies but also through cultural development. Literature—including novels, essays, poetry, and children’s books—shapes emotional intelligence, fosters social harmony, reduces intolerance, and strengthens community bonds.

Diverse Publishers and Literary Works

The fair provided a platform for a wide range of publishers and booksellers. Visitors could explore children’s literature, classic Bengali writings, contemporary novels, poetry, and research-oriented texts. While exact numbers of stalls or participants were not reported, the event successfully connected readers of all ages with works suited to their interests.

Family Engagement and Cultural Education

Speakers emphasized that societal transformation is also driven by knowledge and humane values—qualities that books uniquely provide. Parents were encouraged to involve children in reading, discuss literary works, and make reading a shared family activity. This approach reinforces the importance of cultivating reading habits in the digital age.

Symbolic Significance

Cumilla’s historical contribution to Bengali literature and culture adds symbolic weight to the fair. Known for producing prominent writers, educators, and cultural institutions, the district uses this book fair not merely as an annual event but as a reaffirmation of its enduring literary identity.