Bags not allowed at DLF for security concerns

As the Dhaka Literary Festival (DLF) 2018 is going to be held amid political speculations over the upcoming 11th general election, shoulder bags or haversacks will not be allowed inside the festival for security purposes, DLF authorities have said.

The curtains to the country's largest international literary festival - also known as the Dhaka Lit Fest - are set to rise Thursday morning at the Bangla Academy premises, with over 200 panellists, from the literary and performance scene representing 15 countries taking part in the event.

Handbags and purses smaller than 5"x7" in dimension can be brought inside the venue, the organizers informed. 

"Considering security reasons, we have decided to not allow any bag bigger than 5"x7" in dimension inside the venue," Sadaf Saaz, one of the DLF directors, said. 

"But there will be beautiful DLF bags on sale at the venue, all of them reasonably priced," she added. "And if you buy books from the bookstalls and publishing houses at the festival, they will provide their bags with the books."

Supported by the Cultural Affairs Ministry and hosted by the Bangla Academy, the three-day event will continue until Saturday, with more than 90 sessions on literature, art, photography exhibition, film screening, gender issues, writing workshops, and creative sessions for children.

The registration is free for all, the organizers said.

Bangla Academy Director (admin) KM Mujahidul Islam said: "With the general election right around the corner, we are putting extra emphasis on security issues this year.

"We have already contacted law enforcement agencies, including the police and RAB," he added. "They will be deployed inside and around the venue to ensure security during the festival."