The city’s biggest draw, the International Kolkata Book Fair, has been postponed by a month
As West Bengal grapples with the third wave of COVID-19, several festivals and fairs that were till now major tourist attractions have either been postponed or are being held virtually.
In the last relaxation issued by the state government on January 17, jatra demonstrations were allowed in a restricted manner, but festivals and fairs, which are a huge attraction in winter, are not being held.
The International Kolkata Book Fair, the biggest draw in Kolkata, has been postponed by a month due to the rise in COVID-19 cases and will begin from February 28.
The Kolkata Steel Literary Meet to be held at Victoria Memorial has also been postponed. Victoria Memorial Hall curator Jayant Choudhary said that since the memorial and gardens are closed, the literary meet could be held only in March. The organizers of the Apeejay Kolkata Literature Festival have also opted to go virtual.
Preeti Paul, Director, APJ Surendra Group and Oxford Bookstores, said, “The literature and book space, whether on land or in the virtual world, will thrive. It is in this spirit that we present the 13th and our first virtual edition of the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival, marking the centenary of the much-loved Heritage Oxford Bookstore.
artisan fair postponed
Local artisan fairs organized in the district have also been suspended or stopped. Ananya Bhattacharya, Director, banglanatakdot.comA social enterprise working for sustainable development through revival of heritage said that various fairs and festivals are being postponed till March. “This is the second year in a row that artists have been unable to organize festivals in different parts of Bengal,” she said.
Meanwhile, the state reported 37 COVID-19 deaths and 10,959 new cases in the last 24 hours. Active cases now stand at 1,44,809.