Kolkata International Book Fair
Kolkata International Book Fair is the world’s largest non-commercial book fair, Asia’s biggest book fair,
and the world’s most public-attended book fair with a footfall of over 2 million people. It is held in
Central Park Mela Ground, Salt Lake in Kolkata. Starting from the 1990s, the book fair has been themed
annually, typically on a country on the lines of the Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair. The
theme country embassy is typically given a stall at the fairground centre, and many book shops theme
their collections based on the fair theme. The temporary gates of the fair are designed according to the
theme, based on a design competition among students of Kolkata. Typically, the chief guest at the fair is
from the themed country and noted dignitaries as Günter Grass and Richard Dawkins have decorated
the dais. Organizers have announced that for the 46th edition of the fair, which is likely to be held in
January 2023, Spain will be the theme country.
First organised in 1976, the festival gradually caught some serious pace in the ‘90s. Today this
boimela (Bengali word for bookfair) is the world’s third-largest annual collection of books, after the
Frankfurt Book Fair and the London Book Fair. Leading manufacturers, distributors, authors, and
publishers attend the fair, making it a prominent cultural platform. The fair is not about just
books, it goes beyond that. There are several cultural events and shows that are held
throughout the day at the auditorium, including book launches, music events, dance events,
and more. The open stage Mukta Mancha is another venue for all the cultural activities. You will
also come across stalls selling jewellery, handicrafts and a lot of unique items, hosted by artists
from all across the state. Just like any other event in the city, the book fair cannot be complete
without food. Food stalls are a regular and a must for any event for Bengalis, and the book fair
has never disappointed, offering delicious and pocket-friendly street food and snacks.
