United Kingdom to be focal theme country in 47th International Kolkata Book Fair 2024

Partha Roy, Kolkata: 47th International Kolkata Book Fair 2024 will be organised from 18 January to 31 January 2024 at Boi Mela Prangan, Salt Lake, Kolkata. The Book Fair is being organised by Publishers & Booksellers Guild.

The focal theme country of the 47th International Kolkata Book Fair is the United Kingdom (UK), which has close historical, cultural and diplomatic relationship with India. The British Council in India has been an integral part of the book fair since very long and is celebrating its 75 years of presence in India. The British Council played major role when Great Britain and Scotland were theme country earlier.

Mr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner, East and North East India, and Dr Debanjan Chakrabarti, Director of British Council, East and North East India also addressed the press conference. Both mentioned United Kingdom as focal theme country will promote pluralistic facets of UK literature. The fair will be inaugurated by Chief Minister of West Bengal Smt. Mamata Banerjee. Chief Minister of West Bengal gave recognition to publishing and accorded Industry status.

USA, France, Italy, Spain, Thailand, Australia, Bangladesh, Peru, Argentina, Colombia & several other countries are participating in the upcoming book fair. Germany will participate after 12 years. Publications of other states of India, such as Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, Telangana, Kerala, Odisha, and several other institutions of national importance are also participating in International Kolkata Book Fair 2024.There will be Little Magazine Pavilion, Children’s Pavilion and other attractions too. Nearly 1000 stalls of different publishing houses will be set up .

The three-day Kolkata Literature Festival, KLF, will be held from 26 to 28 January 2024 as a part International Book Fair. Shri Tridib Kumar Chatterjee, President, Publishers & Booksellers Guild, and Shri Sudhangshu Sekhar Dey, General Secretary, Publishers & Booksellers Guild addressed the press conference and spoke on various aspects of organising International Kolkata Book Fair; Raju Barman, Joint Secretary, Publishers & Booksellers Guild also attended press conference alongwith other officials of the guild.

The International Kolkata Book Fair has been preponed due to upcoming Board examination in the state. International Kolkata Book Fair in one of the largest Book Fair in the world which is expected to be visited by several million visitors.