In a significant development for the Bengali literary community in New York, Roquia Haider, once the head of the Bengali division at Voice of America, has been nominated as the convenor for the prestigious New York International Bengali Book Fair-2025. This event, a cultural highlight for Bengali expatriates, is set to take place over four days from May 24 to May 27 at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in Queens, New York City, a hub for cultural activities within the borough.
The decision to appoint Roquia Haider was reached unanimously during a virtual meeting of the executive committee of the Muktadhara Foundation on December 27 of the previous year. The Muktadhara Foundation, known for its commitment to promoting Bengali culture and literature overseas, has played a pivotal role in organizing this annual event since its inception. This year’s nomination of Roquia Haider is seen as a continuation of the foundation’s tradition of choosing leaders with significant experience in cultural and literary circles.
Upon her nomination, Roquia Haider expressed her gratitude and optimism, calling for the community’s support to ensure the festival and book fair are celebrated with grandeur and success in 2025. Her vision includes not only the promotion of literature but also fostering a sense of community among Bengali expatriates, enhancing cultural exchange, and providing a platform for new and established authors from both Bangladesh and West Bengal.
Roquia Haider’s background makes her an apt choice for this role. Her tenure at Voice of America was marked by her dedication to spreading knowledge and culture through media, making her a natural fit for leading an event aimed at literary enrichment. Her experience in managing large, diverse teams and events will be crucial in orchestrating a book fair that has grown in stature and attendance over the years.
The New York International Bengali Book Fair has become more than just a place to buy books; it’s a cultural festival where literature lovers, writers, poets, and enthusiasts from around the world converge. The fair typically features book launches, author meet-and-greets, literary discussions, and cultural performances, making it a vibrant celebration of Bengali heritage. Last year, under the stewardship of Hasan Ferdous, the Vice Chairman of the Muktadhara Foundation, the fair saw record attendance and introduced several new initiatives, including digital book readings and talks.
Roquia Haider herself is no stranger to this role, having previously served as convenor in 2015. Her past experience with the fair brought innovative ideas like the inclusion of workshops for young writers and interactive sessions with expatriate authors, which added depth to the event’s offerings. Her return to this position is anticipated with excitement, especially for those who remember the enriching sessions from her previous tenure.
The 2025 book fair is expected to attract not only Bengali literature enthusiasts but also a broader audience interested in South Asian culture and literature. The event will likely feature an expanded array of activities, including:
Literary Awards: Recognizing the contributions of writers to Bengali literature.
Cultural Performances: Showcasing music, dance, and theatre from the Bengali tradition.
Workshops and Seminars: Covering topics from contemporary writing to the preservation of the Bengali language among the diaspora.
Children’s Area: Focused on engaging the younger generation with Bengali literature through storytelling, art, and interactive learning.
The Muktadhara Foundation’s efforts to involve more international publishers, authors, and artists are expected to make the 2025 fair a global event, further elevating its status as one of the key literary festivals for Bengalis worldwide. With Roquia Haider at the helm, there’s an anticipation of not just maintaining but enhancing the fair’s legacy as a cultural bridge between continents, languages, and generations. It’s notable that Roquia Haider is also the Chief Adviser of the DCBoimela since 2018 organized by Bangla Kendro, founded by Dastagir Jahangir, the editor of the Voice.
