Kolkata, the land of literary geniuses, organises one of the largest attended book fairs in the world called the International Kolkata Book Fair. Officially, it is also called ‘Antarjatik Kolkata Boimela’ and is a long-awaited event for not just local book lovers but is also equally loved by bibliophiles across India. This winter fair begins around January 30 and goes on till around February 10. It is held at Central Park Mela Ground, Salt Lake, Kolkata. Incidentally, the fair also overlaps with a local Hindu festival.
Every year the organisers choose a focal theme country to display its culture, traditions, food, tourism and literature through books. Many acclaimed authors, poets and other respected personalities mark their presence at the inauguration of this fair. Countries that have participated in the past include the United Kingdom, United States, Russia, China, Japan, Vietnam, Bangladesh and various Latin American nations.
How it all began
Started on a small scale in 1976 by the Kolkata Publishers and Booksellers Guild, the main objective of the Kolkata Book Fair was to fulfill the demand of book lovers for good books and the lack of bookshops. During its initial years, two annual book fairs were organised in Kolkata, one by the Kolkata Publishers and Booksellers Guild and the other by the Government of West Bengal called the Grontho Mela (‘Grontho’ meaning books in Bengali). Though both the organisers were opponents in the beginning, due to the remarkable success of the Kolkata Book Fair, the Government of West Bengal merged the two fairs.
Things to do
International Kolkata Book Fair is the most loved and the most eagerly awaited event for the people of Kolkata. It is also the world’s third-largest annual book conglomeration, after the Frankfurt Book Fair and the London Book Fair. According to reports, it has a total footfall of more than 2 million people, which makes it the largest book fair of the world by attendance. The book fair is like a big fest that one can enjoy with great food, songs, shopping and other fun activities. There will be spirited debates and discussions with literary stalwarts. Visitors will also find a spree of food stalls to get their taste buds tingling. In all sense it can be said that the ‘city of joy’ bursts with exhilaration during this fair.
In the beginning, the fair used to be held at the Maidan ground and was later shifted to the Milan Mela ground near science city before being finally shifted to Salt Lake’s Central Park in 2018. Although, when compared to Milan Mela, the Central Park ground is slightly smaller in area, infrastructure, accessibility and other logistics and also meets all other criteria.
How to reach the Kolkata Book Fair
If you are coming from outside of Kolkata, you can take trains to Sealdah and Howrah. Once you reach Howrah/Sealdah, you can rent a cab or bus to Salt Lake. Also, you can reach Ultadanga and hire an auto (rickshaw), or if you come from Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, you can reach Beleghata, Chingrighata or Kadapara and connect through an auto. Additionally, there are frequent buses running from Sealdah, Howrah, Dum Dum and Santragachi railway stations, as well as from Shovabazaar, Chingrighata More, Dunlop More, and Joka and Belala. From there you can easily take an auto for Kadapara or Beleghata. You can also see hoardings and banners all along the road that will help you locate the venue. The Kolkata Book Fair does not have any entry fees and hence anyone can attend. However, if you are a bookseller or publisher and wish to participate, you can send your applications online.
Address
Central Park Mela Ground,
Sector II, Bidhannagar,
Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091
Directions: Google Maps
Timings: 12 PM – 8 PM
Phone: +91 8274004588/+91 33 2360 4566
