A Three-Decade Love Affair: New York International Bangla Book Fair
Writer and publisher Farid Ahmed has reflected on his long association with the New York International Bangla Book Fair, describing it as a “three-decade love affair” that has grown alongside the Bangla-speaking diaspora across the world. In his recollection published on May 19, he said his direct involvement with the book fair spans about two decades, although he had been aware of it since its early years. He first attended the event in 2006 during its 15th edition, an experience he described as both emotionally overwhelming and personally significant, as it also marked his first visit to North America. He noted that the invitation from the book fair played a role in his U.S. visa process, although earlier attempts to travel had been delayed due to procedural and timing issues.
Ahmed recounted the difficulties of the early 2000s when communication with organizers relied heavily on postal letters and expensive international phone calls. He also described repeated complications in securing a U.S. visa, including security clearance delays and missed opportunities that prevented him from attending earlier editions of the fair. After several unsuccessful attempts, he finally traveled in 2006 and experienced what he called an immediate emotional connection with the event, praising the warmth of its organizers and the welcoming environment created by members of the Bangladeshi diaspora community. He especially acknowledged the efforts of key organizers who worked tirelessly to connect Bangladeshi publishers and writers with the international stage.
Over the years, he observed how the fair evolved from a relatively small gathering into a large cultural festival. Initially centered around books and literary exchange, the event later expanded in scope, adopting the subtitle “Bangla Festival” in 2007 before becoming the New York International Bangla Book Fair in its more established form. According to him, this transformation reflects the growing strength and confidence of Bangla cultural identity abroad, as well as the increasing participation of writers, publishers, and readers from different parts of the world. He also highlighted how successive generations of Bangladeshi-American children have grown up with the fair as part of their cultural environment, helping preserve their connection to Bangla language and literature.
Ahmed further noted that publisher participation has steadily increased over the years. While only a few publishing houses from Bangladesh initially joined, more publishers and authors gradually began attending, turning the fair into a major platform for international literary exchange. He added that the event has also created opportunities for writers and publishers to travel abroad, and in some cases, to establish long-term residences in the United States, further strengthening cultural ties.
Concluding his reflection, Farid Ahmed extended his best wishes for the 35th edition of the New York International Bangla Book Fair, expressing gratitude to everyone involved in its continued growth. He described the event not merely as a book fair, but as a shared cultural achievement of the global Bangla-speaking community, one that continues to expand in scale, influence, and emotional significance year after year.
