East London to Host Bangladesh Book Fair 2026

The Bangladesh Book Fair, Literary and Cultural Festival 2026 is set to take place in East London, organised by the Combined Literary and Cultural Council UK, with the aim of promoting the Bengali language, literature and culture, while inspiring cultural awareness among the younger generation.

This year’s festival will also feature new additions, including special programmes focused on dance, drama, literature and film. A special theatrical production will highlight the importance of engaging British Bangladeshi youth with Bengali language, literature and culture.

This two-day event will be held on 27 and 28 June at Brady Arts Centre, 192–196 Hanbury Street, Whitechapel, London E1 5HU. The fair and festival will be open to visitors each day from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

This important initiative, which plays a significant role in fostering Bengali language, literature and cultural practice within the diaspora, has already generated considerable interest among writers, authors, artists, publishers and cultural enthusiasts. This year’s event has been designed to strengthen connections between literature, the arts, culture and the younger generation.

Following the appointment of a new executive committee on 1 January 2025, the organisation prioritised literature, arts and cultural activities, taking steps to build a more participatory, transparent and self-reliant organisational structure. As part of that ongoing effort, this year’s festival has been planned on a broader, more inclusive and higher-quality scale.

The Chief Guest will be Ekushey Padak-winning academic and thinker Rupa Chakraborty. The event will be inaugurated by Dr Martin Kampchen, renowned academic and translator of Bengali literature, who will also attend as a special guest.

Other special guests will include Bangla Academy Award-winning poet Shamim Azad, distinguished translator Anisuzzaman, and academic and former Education Secretary Dr Gauranga Mahanta.

Publishing houses from both the United Kingdom and Bangladesh have confirmed their participation in the book fair. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore new book releases, purchase books, attend book launches, join author-reader discussions and engage in various publishing-related activities.

Alongside the fair, there will be literary discussions, poetry recitations, spoken-word performances, cultural programmes and special seminars.

Special emphasis has been placed on the participation of British Bangladeshi youth, with the aim of connecting the younger generation to Bengali language and culture. Dedicated discussions and presentations will explore the relationship between their creativity, professional experiences and cultural identity.

This year’s festival will also feature new additions, including special programmes focused on dance, drama, literature and film. A special theatrical production will highlight the importance of engaging British Bangladeshi youth with Bengali language, literature and culture.

During the literary segment, poet Shamim Azad and writer Sayem Chowdhury will discuss the potential for presenting Bengali literature more widely within the global literary landscape.

One of the major attractions of the festival will be a special programme titled “Poetry of British Bengali Poets in the Voices of British Bengali Recitation Artists.” First introduced last year, the event received widespread acclaim from audiences. This year, selected poems by British Bengali poets will once again be performed by recitation artists from across the UK.

A special seminar has also been arranged, where prominent speakers and intellectuals will discuss contemporary issues relating to literature, language, culture and identity. The keynote paper will be presented by distinguished translator Anisuzzaman.

According to the organisers, the goal of this initiative extends beyond hosting a book fair. It aims to expand Bengali literature and culture across the United Kingdom, connect younger generations with Bengali heritage, and build a strong cultural bridge. At the same time, the organisation seeks to strengthen transparency, participatory leadership and institutional self-reliance.

The Combined Literary and Cultural Council UK warmly invites literature lovers, readers, writers, artists, cultural activists and well-wishers to attend the Bangladesh Book Fair, Literary and Cultural Festival 2026.

Venue: Brady Arts Centre, 192–196 Hanbury Street, Whitechapel, London E1 5HU. Dates: 27–28 June 2026. Time: 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm daily.

Together for the global advancement of Bengali literature and culture.

EN/SA