Bengalis book fair in New York will be an essential part of American socio-culture – Rehman Sobhan

Hakikul Islam Khokan

The 35th New York International Bangla Book Fair 2026, one of the largest gatherings of Bengali language, literature and culture in North America, has started with colorful arrangements. Last Friday (May 22, 2026), the four-day long fair was inaugurated at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in New York. This year’s theme is “As many books as life”. This international event will continue until Monday (May 25). Khabar Ibn News.
Eminent economist Professor Rehman Sobhan was present as the chief guest in the opening ceremony. He said, “In the last 35 years, Bangladeshis have become a visible ethnic group in America; in the next 35 years, Bangladeshis will become an essential part of the socio-culture of this country.”

He also said that correct history practice is very important for the progress of the nation. He urged to present the true history to future generations by establishing consensus on various controversial issues of history.
Prof. Rehman Sobhan was presented with the ‘Muktdhara Meritorious Award’ and ‘Lifetime Award’ in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Bengali intellectual and social thought.

Participating in the special discussion, sociologist Professor Rawonak Jahan said, “The idea of ​​a secular Bangladesh was very strong for our generation; but at present, a section of the new generation is seen to be attracted to religion-based politics, which is worrying.”
Popular fiction writer Imdadul Haque Milan officially inaugurated the event. He emphasized on undertaking large scale international translation initiatives to bring Bengali books to the world. Ziauddin Ahmed, Chairman of Muktdhara Foundation gave the welcome speech. Convenor of the book fair. Nazrul Islam thanked everyone present.

On this occasion, Biswajit Saha, founder and CEO of Muktdhara Foundation, was given a special award. In 1992, the International Bangla Book Fair started in New York on his personal initiative. A documentary about him was also screened at the event.
Biswajit Saha’s plan arranged pre-The opening ceremony was a crowd pleaser and emotional. New York’s famous Dhuli Mubarak Hossain started the program with traditional Dhol music. Later, the students of Sangeet Sadhana, under the guidance of Malvika Chatterjee, performed ensemble songs — “Aji Dakhin Duar Khola” and “Baula Ke Banailo Re”.

Tributes are paid to the three great personalities of Bengali language and culture by lighting candles to the tune of “Aguner Parashamani” on the commemoration. At this time, Imdadul Haque Milan, Abdun Noor, Ziauddin Ahmed and Dr. Nazrul Islam lit the candle at the memorial.
During the memorial and reading session, Rokeya Rafiq Bebi recited a section of fiction writer Mahasweta Devi’s work. Shahidul Alam Sacchu read selected parts from historian Tapan Roychowdhury’s ‘Bangalnama’. Papi Mana and his band Shamsuddin Abul Kalam performed music in remembrance.
Enchanting dance performances — “Aloker Ee Jharna Dharaya”, “Hridyo Amar Nachere” and “Bagichaay Bulbuli Tui” were performed under the direction of Chandra Banerjee Alok and planned by Nrityanjali Academy.

Later, the self-proclaimed Mahitosh Talukdar Tapas took the participants around the premises of the book fair under the slogan “I will go to the book fair to smell the new book”. The guests and visitors present enjoyed the event immensely.
On the opening day, there were recitations, music, dance, commemoration and literature chat. On the occasion of the birth centenary of three eminent personalities of Bengali language and culture, Mahasweta Devi, Abul Kalam Shamsuddin and Tapan Roy Chowdhury, a deep respect was paid to their memory.

35th New York International Book Fair 2026 Organizer and CEO of Muktdhara Foundation Biswajit Saha.

Leading publishing houses of Bangladesh and Kolkata participated in the fair. Participating institutions include Muktdhara Foundation (New York), University Press Limited, Prathma Prakashan, Ahmed Publishers, etc. Granth Prakash, bdnews24.com, Ankur Prakashani, Anboy Prakash, Kathaprakash, Kavi Prakashani, Nalanda, Batighar, Granthkuthir and Jaldhi.

Monirul Haque, publisher of Ananya Prakashani, said, “The New York International Bangla Book Fair is not just a book selling event;It has become one of the hubs of cultural identity, emotional and spiritual connection of the diaspora Bengalis.”

In this four-day book fair, new book unveilings, literary discussions, poetry readings, children-teen programs, author-reader chats, cultural performances and special seminars on expatriate culture will be held every day.

Prominent writers, poets, journalists, artists and cultural workers from Bangladesh, India, USA and Canada are participating in it. Among them are Faridur Reza Sagar, Deepen Bhattacharya, Tawfiq Imroz Khalidi, Subodh Sarkar, Farooq Moinuddin, Sadat Hossain, Mostafa Sarwar, Zafar Ahmed Rashed, Gautam Dutt, Shams Al Momin, Rokeya Haider, Ferdous Sajeedin, Ashraf Qaiser, Raju Alauddin, Syed Zaki. Hossain, Birupaksh Pal, Nazrul Islam Mintu, Ranu Ferdous, poet and columnist ABM Saleh Uddin, senior journalist and lion and columnist Hakikul Islam Khokon, book lover community activist Maqsuda Ahmed, 1 of Long Island.
Abdul Majeed and Mohitosh Talukdar and many others.

In order to engage the new generation with Bengali language, literature and culture, this year’s book fair has specially organized youth participation programs. As part of this, an exceptional panel discussion — “Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Creativity” will be held on May 25.
The new generation of Bangladeshi-American youth will present their thoughts and experiences on how AI is bringing about changes in human thought, literature, art, music, media and cultural practices in the technology-dependent modern world.

Daniyal Darpan Samio, Prajnattam Saha Pragya, Meem De Shrabni, Farzeen Kabir Kavya, Adrita Dey and Dhiraj Saha will participate in the discussion. The program will be hosted by Rabbani Bhuiyan.

According to the organizers, the participation of the new generation growing up in American society will play an important role in building cultural bridges between the two generations. Such initiatives are very significant for the future to protect the continuity of Bengali language and culture.
The organizers also mentioned the sincere efforts of Nirupama Saha and Seema Sushmita to make this event a success.
Dr. Obaidullah Mamun, member secretary of the book fair,The activity of Nurul Baten and others concerned was remarkable. In the fair, a writer from New York, Abul Bashar, told Bapsnews that he brought copies of 13 books published by him to the book fair. All the books were sold. He was very happy. I took 13 books to the 35th New York International Bengali Book Fair on the first day. All the books were sold within 1 hour of the opening of the fair.Thanks readers. If I knew that so many books would be sold, I would have bought more books. I am proud to be a new writer. I sincerely thank all the organizing committee. I took 13 books to the 35th New York International Bangla Book Fair on the first day. All the books were sold within 1 hour of the opening of the fair. Thank you readers.