The spirit of sharing defines the end of February 2021

In this last week of February, a shared sense of optimism, however cautious, is pervading much of the world and indeed our own. Slowly, and now safely, more and more events and programmes are opening their doors. Book enthusiasts can enjoy the following events this week:

Boi Bondhu'r Shathe Boi Binimoy Utshab: On February 26, Dhanmondi's Rabindra Sarobar will host Dhaka's first ever book exchange festival from 10am to 6pm, organised by the open library Boi Bondhu. The event is unique in its nature—it advertises simply that you come with one book or more in your hand, leave it among the sprawl of novels to be displayed, and take one, take two, take three books in exchange.

Boi Bondhu have been maintaining several book-reading facilities around the city since 2018. This latest effort will see only the second ever book exchange festival in the country, following an event in Khulna on February 1, 2021. The festival is free to enter.

Shobar Jonno Boi: The AIM Initiative Foundation are seeking to collect 5,000 donated books from around the country in order to set up libraries in five disadvantaged school in and outside Dhaka. Those interested to donate books can register online until February 28. The endeavour is designed with the sole intent of educating the generations to come through stories and words beyond those of mandated texts.

Registration can be done either through the Google Form link posted on the Shobar Jonno Boi Facebook event page or by messaging the AIM Initiative Foundation page with the required information. Once the registration phase ends, the books will be collected from the addresses provided.