The countdown has already begun for the 48th International Kolkata Book Fair 2025—the largest attended book fair in the world, recognised by IPA Geneva. The fair is scheduled from 28 January to 9 February 2025 at the Boimela Prangan, Salt Lake City, Kolkata.
Last year, 2.7 million people visited the book fair and books worth 23 crores INR were sold. We are amazed at this landmark moment created by the booklovers.
This year, the International Kolkata Book Fair is becoming an open air book fair in its true sense. There will be no halls where earlier the English language publishers used to be present. Instead, there will be a designated ‘Premier Area’ for all English language participants.
You are already aware that in the history of the International Kolkata Book Fair, for the first time, Germany is the Focal Theme Country of the International Kolkata Book Fair 2025. Today we are very happy to host this National press conference at the Goethe Institut, New Delhi. Dr Philipp Ackermann, H.E. Ambassador of Germany in India and Dr. Marla Stukenberg, Director, Goethe Institut, South Asia are with us. It is our honour and pride to announce that both of them will be present at the grand inaugural ceremony of the 48th International Kolkata Book Fair 2025 on 28 January 2025 as Guests of Honour. Today, they will apprise you in detail about Germany’s participation in the book fair.
We are pleased to announce that on the day of inauguration, a special Sahitya Samman award worth Rs 2 lakh will be handed over by our Chief Guest , Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to senior litterateur of Bengal Shri Abul Bashar.
Like its previous editions, the 48th International Kolkata Book Fair too will be totally digitized allowing book lovers from different parts of India and the world to be connected with the different programmes of the fair.
In the Book Fair, 29 January 2025 will be celebrated as ‘Theme Country Germany Day’ and 2 February 2025 as ‘Children’s Day’. On 4 February 2025, Guild will commemorate ‘Senior Citizen’s Day’ in honour of the aged.
All the National and multinational players of publishing industry like Penguin Random House, Harper Collins, Hachette, Bloomsbury, Rupa, Pan Macmillan, Orient Blackswan, Parragon, Pearson, Westland and others will have their own pavilions in the International Kolkata Book Fair 2025.
We are also happy to announce that countries like the United States of America, United Kingdom, France, Iran, Russia, Spain, Argentina, Guatemala, Peru, Costa Rica, Iran and other Latin American countries are participating directly. Also there is direct participation of publishers from almost all the parts of India—Delhi, Assam, Tripura, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Bhopal, Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and others.
For the first time, there will be a special exhibition in this Book Fair titled ‘Engraved Illustrations: Journey of Book Illustrations during the 19th Century in Bengal, curated by Shri Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya. The exhibition will highlight the chronological journey of engraved illustrations in Bengali books from the 1800s to the 1900s. It will also feature original books from the 19th century, woodblocks, and other printmaking exhibits. There will be seminars also featuring renowned printmakers from India and workshops featuring scholars and intellectuals.
The 11th edition of Kolkata Literature Festival (KLF) 2025—an integral part of the Book Fair will be held at the auditorium of the fair ground for 3 days— 6 to 8 February 2025 in the afternoon. The KLF 2025 will have the presence of eminent literary personalities, dignitaries and celebrities who will join in various interactive sessions. Each day of the KLF will conclude with musical and dance performances in the evenings.
