Yeasmin Moon was patiently combing through books at a stall at the Amar Ekushey book fair yesterday.

The ones she was planning to buy, she kept to her right and continued her search.

“I came to the book fair only to buy books of my favourite writer Kazi Nazrul Islam. I love reading poetry, songs and dramas of Nazrul,” said Yeasmin, a resident of Chittagong.

She bought “Nazruler Kabbyanubad” -- a collection of Persian and Arabic poems translated in Bangla by Nazrul from the Nazrul Institute on the Bangla Academy premises.

“I was looking for the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (translated by Nazrul) everywhere. This book not only has those but also more poems by Nazrul,” she said.

Suddenly, while talking to this correspondent, the 65-year-old picked up a book and smiled triumphantly.

“I wanted to introduce Nazrul to my grandchild Rayan,” she said, and showed the book titled, “Nazruler Shishu Kishor Sahitya” to this correspondent. “Rayan is in fourth grade and loves to read, and what's better to read than the works of Nazrul?”

Mohammad Ilias, a staff of the stall, said two new items “Nazrul Institute Potrika” and “Bidrohi Kobi Nazrul and Bangabandhu” will be available soon. “People still love to read the national poet's books.”

At the same time, enthusiastic youths were seen reading and buying literary works of the legendary writers. 

Shadid Sayeb, a tenth grader from Uttara, was reading “Ami Nazrul” (I am Nazrul), edited by Shantiranjan Voumik, at the stall of Abosar Prokashana Sangstha. While, Kathaprakash, another publication, was selling Nazrul's biography by Taha Yeasin.

Farhan Arnob, a staff of the stall, said, “We have 54 biographies of eminent personalities. People of different ages are buying those to feel inspired.”

Besides, yesterday being a weekly holiday, the fair drew a large number of booklovers, especially in the evening.

The morning and the afternoon were also vibrant with children's laughter as they were enjoying the “Shishu Prahar” (Children's Hours) at the Suhrawardy Udyan. While their parents got a much needed respite from their busy life and cheerily embarked on a literary adventure at the book fair.

INT'L LITERARY CONFERENCE

Yesterday was the last day of the four-day conference, where poets, writers, researchers and translators from home and abroad took part.

A discussion on literature in translation was held in the morning on the Bangla Academy premises, where Prof Khaliquzzaman Elias presented the keynote speech. “It's important to think about the target readers while translating,” he said and stressed the importance of holding workshops on translation.

In the afternoon, a discussion on Children's literature, presided over by Prof Hayat Mamud, took place.

“Through children's literature, we have to make them understand about various aspects of life,” said writer Ali Imam. Children litterateur Rashed Rouf gave the keynote speech.

A discussion on “Bangla Bhasay Soraochito Kabita Path” (self-composed Bangla poetry recital) was held in the evening, participated by Swedish poet Christian Carlson and Bangladeshi poets.