Bangladesh Alternative Book Fair & conference in The Hague
On February 21, 2016, The Hague Peace Projects and Mukto-Mona in collaboration with the IHEU are organizing the “Bangladesh Alternative Book Fair” in The Hague.
An open event supported by EHF in solidarity with exiled and threatened Bangladeshi humanists and intellectuals.
There will be a short documentary, book-presentations, public debate, discussions and exchange of views on the current political situation, the suffocation of the freedom of speech and the rise of extremism in the country.
Venue : Humanity House, Prinsegracht 8, The Hague on Sunday February 21, 14:00h-18:00h
Bangladesh: where writing and blogging puts your life in danger
One year ago, Avijit Roy a US based Bangladeshi writer, blogger and founder of Mukto-Mona, was hacked to death by extremists in the street while he was leaving the Ekushey Book Fair. Bangladeshi writers and bloggers had already been operating in a hostile and insecure environment since the killing of blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider in February 2013. But within a timespan of only ten months, Washiqur Rahman Babu, Ananta Bijoy Dash, Niloy Chatterjee and Faisal Arefin Dipon were also brutally murdered by islamist groups. They all were targeted criticizing religion and promoting humanism in their country.
The Ekushey Book Fair is THE most important yearly event for every Bangladeshi writer. It takes place in the month of February, in celebration of International Mother Language Day the 21st of February. This year, the Ekushey Book Fair is taking place in Bangladesh But with many writers and books being absent, it reflects the silencing of independent and critical voices in Bangladesh.
Writers and bloggers who could, have left the country. Those who couldn’t, chose to be silent.
In protest and solidarity with Bangladeshi writers facing persecution, the Hague Peace Projects and Mukto-Mona organize a ‘Bangladesh Alternative Book Fair’. On Sunday the 21st of February Bangladeshi writers and bloggers now forced to live abroad will come together in the Humanity House in The Hague, Netherlands. There will be books, writers and freedom of speech.
Programme:
| – 14:00h: | Start Book Fair |
| – 15:00h – 15:30h: | Documentary: Razor’s Edge |
| – 15:30h – 18:00h: | Debate and discussion |
| – 18:00: | Drinks and Book Fair |
Admission is free. Registration is required via http://www.humanityhouse.org/en/event/exiled-writers-bloggers-from-bangladesh/