The 34th New York International Bangla Book Fair, organized by the Muktadhara Foundation, will take place over four days starting May 23, 2025, at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center (153-10 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11432). This year’s chief guest is Phyllis Taylor, the American activist affectionately known as “Blockade” for her instrumental role supporting Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War.
The fair will also welcome several distinguished special guests, including Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, renowned literary critic, philosopher, and professor at Columbia University, Captain (Retd.) Sitara Begum, decorated freedom fighter and recipient of the “Bir Protik” honor, Rehman Sobhan, prominent economist and researcher, Dr. Rounaq Jahan, political analyst and writer. The fair will be inaugurated by celebrated poet and novelist Sadat Hossain.
A diverse group of invited writers and researchers will be featured at the fair, including Dr. Abdun Noor, Birupakkho Pal, Dr. Abedin Quader, Shams Al Momin, Mustafiz Shafi, Sarkar Kabiruddin, Abu Saeed Khan, Nazmun Nesa Piary, Zafar Ahmed Rashed, Dr. Shamim Reza, Badruzzaman Alamgir, Jasim Mallik, Farhad Hossain, Faruq Ahmed, Moinuddin Munshi, Abhik Sarwar Rahman, Humayun Kabir Dhali, Tanvir Tarek, Ashik Mustafa, and Parmita Him, among others.
Among the participating publishers are Monirul Haque (Ananya), Alamgir Sikder Loton (Akash), Redwanur Rahman Jewel (Nalanda), Jasim Uddin (Kathaprokash), Sajal Ahmed (Kabi Prokashoni), Dipankar Das (Batighar), Mahbubul Hasan Faisal (Riddhi Prokashon). Participating publishing houses include Shomoy Prokashon, Ahmed Publishing House, Anway, Prothoma, Onkur, Student Ways, Kakoli, Kaler Chithi, Shabdaghar, Ghungur, Panchayet, Islam International Publications, and Muktadhara New York.
The fair promises a vibrant and enriching experience featuring author-reader meetups, book launches and discussions, original poetry readings, recitations, debates, seminars, workshops, and a range of cultural programs.
The lineup of invited performers includes acclaimed artists such as Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya, Fahmida Nabi, Shah Mahbub, Krishna Tithi, Swapnil Sajeeb, Mohammad Shahin Hossain, Kartik Chandra Mondal, Uchchal Banerjee, and many more. A special exhibition titled “Immortal Ekushey: A Pictorial History of the Language Movement (1947–1956)” will also be showcased, organized by Ekushey Chetana Parishad, USA, and curated by Dr. Obaidullah Mamun.
On behalf of the organizing committee, Rokeya Haider, Convener of the New York International Bangla Book Fair 2025, and Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, Chairperson of Muktadhara Foundation, extend a warm invitation to all Bengali-speaking individuals to join this celebration of mother tongue, literature, and culture.