Seven university literature clubs honoured by Oitihya as book carnival lights up Bangla Academy

A 17-day 'Oitihya Book Carnival 2026', organised by the creative publishing house Oitihya, is under way on the Bangla Academy premises. On the eighth day of the carnival, literature clubs from seven universities and colleges were honoured.

Held under the theme 'New day's stories on Oitihya's pages', the carnival aims to build a close connection around literature and creativity among readers, writers, publishers and culturally minded people.

On Thursday (22 October), 'Club Day: Literature Club Honours and Oitihya Readers Club Get-Together' began at 4:30pm. Representatives of the literature clubs took part alongside members of the Oitihya Readers Club.

The seven honoured clubs are the literature societies of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University and Jagannath University, Eden Mohila College's 'Aparajeya', Daffodil International University's DIU Readers Club and the University of Asia Pacific's UAP Literature Club.

Oitihya said the initiative was taken to highlight the role of literature clubs in developing creativity among students through book reading, writing, literary discussion and cultural activities.

By bringing together young people involved in literary practice at different educational institutions, the event created an opportunity to connect books, readers and the publishing world, the organisers hoped.

A quiz competition was also organised that day for members of the Oitihya Readers Club. Hasan Mamun placed first, Rafid Anjam second and Mahbubul Hasan third. The winners received Oitihya's collected works as gifts.

As part of the day's other events, Saif Barkatullah's book 'Khaleda Zia's Death in Newspapers' was unveiled at 5:30pm. The unveiling was done by fiction writer Austric Aryu, writer and publisher Nazrul Russell and the book's author Saif Barkatullah.

Saif Barkatullah said Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia died on 30 December 2025. News of her death was published prominently in almost all newspapers in the country, and the matter was also widely discussed in international media, not only domestic media.

He said newspapers across the country ran a week of coverage centred on Khaleda Zia's death and burial. Extensive discussion of her political life, contributions and influence appeared in reports, analyses, reminiscences and editorials. The book mainly analyses the content, presentation style and overall picture of those news reports and publications.

In the author's view, the book can open new avenues of thought for readers, students, researchers, writers and people interested in journalism and media. It can be especially helpful for those who want to research or write about media in the future.

A musical evening was held at 6:15pm, where young artistes performed Sufi-style songs.

Alongside Oitihya, Ilham, Kakatuwa, Gripper Mark, Nirbachito, Nu Books, Red and Dhrubapada publications are taking part in the carnival. Nirbachito Pakerghar is the food partner.

Attractive discounts are on offer for book lovers at the carnival. There is up to 71% off books in stock and up to 60% off collected works published by Oitihya. Individual volumes of collected works can also be bought for just 150 to 200 taka. A bookmark is given as a gift with any purchase, and special discounts are also available on books from other participating publishers. Participants see the 17-day event as an effort to take book reading and literary practice beyond campus boundaries to a wider readership.