Dhaka International Book Fair '08 ended on December 30. With tire motto, "Book for Peaceful World," the fair was inaugurated on December 15 at the central playing field, Dhaka University campus. Under the management of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, National Book Centre organised the fair. Over a hundred publication houses from home and abroad took part in the fortnight-long event.

Tire British Council: Embassy of the People's Republic of China; Office of the Cultural Counsellor of Iranian Embassy; Children Publication from Karachi, Pakistan; Save the Children; World Bank Office, Dhaka; Shishu Shahitya Samsad Pvt. Ltd. and Dey's Publishing - both from India -- took part in the fair alongside numerous well known local houses including Shahitya Prakash; Mawla Brothers; Shomoy Prakashan; Annyo Prakash; Muktodhara; Pathak Shamabesh; Anannya; Aitijhya and Sandesh.

Several government organisations and research institutes including Bangla Academy, Nazrul Institute, Islamic Foundation Bangladesh and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy also had stalls at the exposition.

A closing ceremony was held at the book

fair on the last day. Professor S.M.A Fayez, vice-chancellor, DU was the chief guest and Mohammad Nasiruddin Khan, joint secretary, Ministry of Cultural Affairs presided over the programme. Professor A.F.M Yousuf Haider, pro-vice chancellor, DU was the special guest.

Among others, educationist Professor Syed Anwar Hossain; Md. Mahmudur Rahman, director, National Book Centre and Mafidul Haque, trustee of the Liberation War Museum spoke at the programme.

In his speech, Professor Fayez said, "This kind of book fair creates an opportunity to bring together writers, readers and publishers."

Professor Yousuf Haider hoped that from now on the fair would be held on DU campus regularly.

Dhaka International Book Fair was initiated in 1995. This is the first time that the fair was held on DU campus.

An award-giving programme was also part of the closing ceremony. Eminent artistes Quayyum Chowdhury, Rafiqun Nabi, Hashem Khan along with others received prizes for their contribution to the field of cover designs. The organisers also honoured owners of publication houses at the programme.