10th edition of Dhaka Lit Fest cancelled

The 10th edition of Dhaka Lit Fest (DLF), one of the largest literary festivals in Bangladesh, which was due for January 2021, has been cancelled, according to a statement. 

The statement, issued by DLF directors Sadaf Saaz, Ahsan Akbar and K Anis Ahmed on Monday, said the festival had been cancelled due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. 

“Since its inception, DLF has been a popular annual event in the winter calendar of Bangladesh,” the statement reads. “We have kept the festival free and open to all, which meant larger crowds every year, with over 30,000 people in attendance during our 2019 edition.”

Every year, the festival brings together renowned and upcoming names in literary and cultural worlds both from home and abroad.

“Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we are unfortunately unable to ensure the safety of our speakers as well as our attendees,” the statement says. 

The organizers said they were committed to ensure that the 10th edition of DLF, now scheduled for 2022, would be one of the very best yet.