Books have the power to inspire, educate and entertain people of all ages. Book fairs are special events that bring readers, authors and publishers together in one place, offering a chance to explore a wide variety of books and enjoy cultural activities. These fairs are not just about buying books but also but also about celebrating the love of reading and learning in a joyful atmosphere.
The International Kolkata Book Fair, earlier known as the Calcutta Book Fair, is the biggest book fair in India and one of the most famous in the world. It is not just a marketplace for books but also a grand celebration of literature, art, and culture. Every year, it brings together authors, publishers, and book lovers from different countries, making it a truly special and vibrant event.
Unlike most book fairs, the International Kolkata Fair is not a trade fair meant for wholesale distributors. It is a fair designed especially for the general public. Readers, writers and publishers come together here, making it the largest non-trade book fair in the world and Asia’s biggest book fair.
The Kolkata Book Fair is the third-largest annual gatherings of book globally, after the Frankfurt Book Fair and the London Book Fair. It is also the most attended book fair in the world, with over 2 million visitors each year.
The book fair started in 1976 on a small scale by the Kolkata Publishers and Booksellers Guild. It was created to meet the rising demand for books among the public. Over time, its success inspired similar book fairs in smaller cities of West Bengal, like Siliguri.
For many people in Kolkata, the book fair is an important tradition. Some even visit the fair every day during its duration. The event is not just about books; it also offers a lively fairground atmosphere with food stalls, cultural performances and music.
The book fair was originally held at the Maidan, a large green park in the heart of Kolkata. However, due to environmental concerns, it was moved to Milan Mela near Science City on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass in 2009. Although some people were initially unsure about the new location, it continues to attract millions of visitors.
The popularity of the Kolkata Book Fair played a significant role in India being chosen as the Guest of Honor at the prestigious Frankfurt Book Fair in 2006. The fair is so well-loved that it has been celebrated in literature, songs and theatre in Kolkata.
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