Pages from the journey of the Kolkata International Book Fair

With the nip in the air gently easing out, it’s time for Kolkata’s annual date with books — the 49th edition of the International Kolkata Book Fair will be held at Central Park, Salt Lake, from January 22 to February 3.

Books, ideas, art, music and more converge at the Book Fair every year. Open-air art spaces, impromptu musical performances, book signings, author interactions, little magazine pavilions and, of course, snacks stalls, give the fair a festive air. 

Boi Mela, as Kolkata’s annual heartbeat is called locally, is a go-to destination for everybody from school students to visitors to the city.

More than 1,000 stalls are scheduled to come up at the latest edition of the Book Fair. Argentina will be the theme country, while several foreign countries such as Ukraine, Germany, UK, France, Nepal and Peru will take part in the fair.

Here is everything you need to know about the iconic fair and more:

How did it start?

The story of the Kolkata Book Fair unfolded way back in 1974 over tea and conversation at the Indian Coffee House on College Street.

The group of young publishers were inspired by the Frankfurt Book Fair — one of the world’s largest international literary events — but initially met with resistance from seniors in the industry who felt that books, unlike day-to-day commodities, cannot be sold in a fair.

But the idea gained momentum and by 1975 the Publishers & Booksellers Guild was formed. The Guild continues to organise the Book Fair to this day. 

When was the first Book Fair held?

The first edition of the Kolkata Book Fair was held in 1976 near the Academy of Fine Arts close to the Victoria Memorial. The small but promising event had 56 stalls from 34 publishers. The entry fee was 50 paise. Even in its small-scale incarnation, the fair captured the imagination of Kolkata’s residents. Families, students and writers alike wandered among the stalls, drawn as much by curiosity as by the books themselves.

As the fair grew bigger, it outgrew its original venue and was moved to the Maidan in the early 1980s. The fair expanded with hundreds of stalls, large pavilions, cultural performances and international exhibits. 

In 1983, the fair received international recognition, earning accreditation from the International Publishers’ Association (IPA). From then on, it was officially an “International” book fair, attracting publishers, authors and visitors from across the globe.

What is the fair like today?

The Book Fair now has a home of its own — the Boi Mela Prangan in Salt Lake’s Central Park, where the fair shifted in 2018. This venue spans an enormous area designed to accommodate over 1,000 stalls, international pavilions, performance spaces, themed zones, spacious exhibition corners and large open-air public spaces. 

Central Park’s modern infrastructure ensures crowd management, fire safety and accessibility. Wide walkways make the fair easily navigable even for first-timers.

Participation is diverse with big and small publishers from across Kolkata, India and the world showcasing their fare. This year the theme country is Argentina.

What are the added attractions apart from books?

One of the fair’s most distinctive zones is Montmartre, an open-air creative enclave named after the Paris district famous for artists. Visitors can watch the artists and also interact with them. Many works here are inspired by books, poetry, folklore and contemporary social themes. You can also get your portrait drawn on the spot.

There is something for everyone. Those not so interested in books can take their pick from painted T-shirts, coffee mugs and jewellery items among others at the fair. A large food court draws a steady stream of people; others enjoy adda sessions on the ground.

 What is the Little Magazine Pavillion?

The Little Magazine Pavilion is dedicated to independent, small-circulation journals. It is a hub for experimental writing, poetry, critical essays, political thought and alternative artistic expressions. Editors and writers mingle with visitors, creating an atmosphere of vibrant discussion.

Little magazines offer a platform for literary innovation where norms are challenged and unconventional narratives explored. In a fair dominated by large commercial publishers, the pavilion is a reminder of a different kind of literature where passion outweighs profit.

Can I hear my favourite writers speak?

The Kolkata Literature Festival held within the fairgrounds is a curated platform that brings together authors, thinkers, filmmakers and literary enthusiasts for panel discussions, storytelling sessions, debates and interactive workshops.

This year it will be inaugurated by celebrated author Amitav Ghosh and acclaimed filmmaker Goutam Ghose at 3.30 pm on January 24.

What makes the fair so unique?

The fair is both a veritable treasure trove for books as well as a living museum. It is a place where people come to browse, to debate, to learn, or simply to soak in the experience. It is also the world's largest non-trade book fair. From its humble beginnings with 34 publishers, the fair has grown into a celebration of reading.

The Book Fair allows bookworms to be surrounded by their favourite books in an unmatched ambience. It is a festival of ideas, art, conversation and, above all, joy.