49th International Kolkata Book Fair 2025 Press Meet Highlights Announced

The International Kolkata Book Fair — regarded as the biggest cultural festival in West Bengal after Durga Puja — is set to return with its 49th edition from 22 January to 3 February 2026 at the Boimela Prangan, Karunamoyee, Salt Lake. As tradition continues, the fair will be inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Smt. Mamata Banerjee, in the presence of eminent poets, authors and scholars.

At the press conference, the Publishers & Booksellers Guild expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Minister and acknowledged the vital support of the Urban and Municipal Affairs Department, KMDA, Bidhannagar Municipality, along with departments such as Information & Cultural Affairs, Bidhannagar Police, and Kolkata Police for the upgradation and smooth management of the fairgrounds.

The International Kolkata Book Fair has earned global distinction as the world’s largest-attended non-trade book festival. The 2025 edition welcomed nearly 27 lakh visitors, generating book sales worth ₹23 crore. Despite high demand, the Guild announced that it will not be able to increase the number of stalls this year due to space constraints, though last year saw a modest expansion.

In a landmark announcement, the Guild revealed that Argentina will be the Focal Theme Country for the 2026 edition—the first time in the fair’s history. Highlighting the cultural and emotional bond between Argentina and Bengal, the organisers shared hopes that the new collaboration will deepen cultural exchange. Present on the occasion were Mr. Andrés Sebastián Rojas, Head of the Political and Cultural Section, and Mrs. Anandi Queipo Riavitz, Head of the Consular Section of the Embassy of Argentina in India, who shared insights into Argentina’s participation.

Looking ahead, the Guild announced preparations for a grand celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the International Kolkata Book Fair in 2027. To commemorate five decades of the fair, photographers who documented the early years (1976–1996) have been invited to submit rare archival photographs. The top 10 selected photographs will receive awards, be exhibited at the Press Corner of IKBF 2026, and be featured in the 50 Years Souvenir. Submissions are open till 10 December 2025.

Continuing its global tradition, the upcoming fair will see participation from Great Britain, USA, Germany, Australia, France, Spain, Peru, Colombia, Japan, Thailand, and several Latin American countries. Major publishers from Indian states including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Odisha, Tripura, among others, will also showcase their works. Popular attractions like the Little Magazine Pavilion and Children’s Pavilion will return as key highlights.

Another major cultural feature, the Kolkata Literature Festival (KLF), will be held on 24 and 25 January 2026, bringing together authors, thinkers, and creative minds from across the world.

The Guild extended a warm welcome to all book lovers and cultural enthusiasts to join the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair and the Kolkata Literature Festival for a vibrant celebration of literature, art, and global cultural harmony.

Dignitaries Present (L–R):
Sudhangshu Sekhar Dey (President, Guild), Ms. Anandi Queipo Riavitz (Chief, Consular Section), Raju Barman (Treasurer, Guild), Sudipta Dey (Executive Committee Member), Tridib Kr. Chatterjee (Hony. General Secretary, Guild), Esha Chatterjee (Executive Committee Member), Mr. Andrés Sebastián Rojas (Counsellor), Subhankar Dey (Executive Committee Member), Shiladitya Sarkar (Guild Member).

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49th International Kolkata Book Fair 2025 Press Meet Highlights Announced