The Hemonto edition (1432 Bangla Year) of Kothar Kagoj, a literary magazine devoted to sensitive, inclusive, and accessible art and literature, was released on December 21 at 6:00 PM with a publication festival and discussion program at the Bangla Academy grounds of the Bijoy Book Fair.
The event was attended by Kothar Kagoj’s Editor-in-Chief Ketan Sheikh, editors Farah Zahir, Naima Parvin, Ayon Abdullah, Tanzina Fardoush, Bonomita Ghosh, and Soyeb Al Hasan. Distinguished guests included Mujtahid Faruqui, Senior Assistant Editor and Head of the Editorial Department of Daily Naya Diganta, poets Roksana Rahman, Tareq Salahuddin, Rokib Likhon, and editor Lutfor Rahman Joy. Writers, readers, and well-wishers of Kothar Kagoj were also present at the event.
During the discussion session, speakers highlighted the core philosophy of Kothar Kagoj as a printed literary magazine, emphasizing the importance of sensitivity, inclusivity, and accessibility. They shared their views on the magazine’s literary vision, the necessity of cultivating reading habits, and the role of literature in building a beautiful and progressive future for Bangladesh.
The speakers expressed their belief that each edition of Kothar Kagoj would ignite renewed enthusiasm and hope in readers’ hearts and sow the seeds of a humane and integrated literary movement. They called for establishing literature as a strong foundation for building a humane society and achieving sustainable development through creative expression.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of fostering a united, tolerant, and humane world through the application of culture in the contemporary context. Speakers urged society to move forward by breaking through accumulated fatigue, despair, and darkness with the illuminating power of literature, describing literature as a powerful medium for social reconstruction and mental liberation.
The speakers also stressed the value of respecting senior writers’ knowledge and expertise while allowing newer generations to be creative and free-thinking. They promoted the preservation of cultural history while making literature more timely through suitable adaptation.
Heartfelt conversations between writers and attendees at the event’s conclusion revealed a common goal of creating a society that is just, free, and creatively vibrant for coming generations. The presenters pointed out that Kothar Kagoj has become a contemporary voice, embracing the complex stories of humanity, society, and culture.
