TBM Report
In a bid to reconnect urban readers with physical books amid an increasingly digitized lifestyle, Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan has introduced ‘FLOR’ (For Love of Reading), an exclusive reading nook integrated into its lobby café, The Deli.
The launch event merged literature, gastronomy, and hospitality, bringing together prominent writers, publishers, media personnel, and corporate leaders. Poet and Executive Editor of Prothom Alo, Sajjad Sharif, inaugurated the space alongside Karthi VK, General Manager of Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan.
Designed as an accessible intellectual sanctuary, FLOR offers a curated selection of titles spanning seven genres, including leadership, fiction, and contemporary Bangladeshi literature. Operating on a relaxed community concept, guests can pick up a book over coffee or participate in the ‘TOLO’ (Take One, Leave One) book exchange initiative, encouraging continuous literary circulation among patrons.
Reflecting on the vision behind the initiative, General Manager Karthi VK stated that FLOR aims to encourage individuals to pause, step away from digital screens, and rediscover the simple pleasure of reading. He added that this literary corner complements the hotel’s corporate hospitality offerings, allowing event attendees and business travelers to unwind and engage in meaningful conversations.
Chief Guest Sajjad Sharif emphasized the civilizational importance of maintaining a reading culture. He noted that distancing oneself from books equates to disconnecting from intellectual heritage. Praising the initiative, Sharif highlighted that books cultivate critical thinking, curiosity, and imagination, making spaces like FLOR vital for nurturing a knowledge-driven society.
The inauguration also marked the debut of a revamped food and beverage menu at The Deli, followed by an afternoon high tea at the Oasis Lounge, where guests engaged in discussions on the evolving role of reading habits in modern society.
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