Love knows no geographical boundaries, nor does it adhere to a specific language. From the cave paintings of primitive humans to the short messages of the modern digital age, love is an inevitable presence everywhere. The anthology ‘Love Poems of Bangladesh and the World’, edited by renowned poet and children's litterateur Humayun Kabir Dhali and published at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026, is a vast canvas reflecting that eternal emotion. In this volume of over 370 pages, the editor has woven the classical verses of world literature into a single thread.  The sheer scale of the book becomes evident when looking at its statistics. It features a total of 452 poems, organized with remarkable diversity:  Classical Bengali Poetry: The classical creations of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam, through to Jibanananda Das, Jasimuddin, Shamsur Rahman, and Al Mahmud, have been compiled with great care. The diverse forms of love depicted in the poems of Shakti Chattopadhyay, Sunil Gangopadhyay, and Nirmalendu Goon, in particular, have enriched this collection.  Immortal Verses of World Literature: The collection includes the universal, soul-stirring poems of Shakespeare, John Donne, Lord Byron, and John Keats, extending to modern masters like Pablo Neruda and Maya Angelou.

 Contemporary Fusion: Alongside current poets from Bangladesh and West Bengal, the modern sensibilities of love from poets across the globe—including Montenegro, Colombia, Albania, and the Philippines—are vividly embodied in this book.  The visionary behind this massive undertaking is the esteemed children's writer, novelist, and poet Humayun Kabir Dhali. He has been working relentlessly in Bengali literature for over three decades. The author of more than a hundred books, he is a well-known name not only in Bangladesh but also in world literature through the translation of his works and his international connections. Several of his books, stories, and poems have been published in various languages.

 As the Chairman of the Bangladesh Children's Literature Forum, he plays a vital role in nurturing new writers. Similarly, literary magazines like ‘Alokolata’ and ‘Prokashona’ under his editorship cater to the tastes of sophisticated readers. Though known as a "wizard of children's literature," he has recently immersed himself in the deep study of poetry. This anthology is not merely a collection; it is the fruit of four years of tireless research. The way he used Facebook and modern technology to build a bridge between poets worldwide is a unique example for our times.  In his preface, the editor modestly states that he made no compromises regarding the "appeal" of a poem. He prioritized the inherent strength of the verse over the fame of the name.

With a cover designed by Gulshan Kabir and neat printing by Onnoy Prokash, the book has transformed into a long-term reference volume. The inclusion of New York's ‘Muktodhara’ and Kolkata's ‘Boibangla’ as international distributors indicates its global appeal.  It is rightly said that the anthology ‘Love Poems of Bangladesh and the World’ is a global epic of love. For those who wish to make words their companion at the crossroads of longing and union, this book is an ultimate gift. As one of the finest achievements of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026, this collection will remain etched in the hearts of readers for a long time.  Book Title: Love Poems of Bangladesh and the World (Bangladesh O Biswer Premer Kobita) Editor: Humayun Kabir Dhali Publisher: Gulshan Ara Babli, Onnoy Prokash Price: 700 BDT ($35.00)