Bangladesh is the theme country from where 50 publishers are participating in the event.
Bangladesh is the theme country from where 50 publishers are participating in the event.
The eagerly awaited Kolkata Book Fair began on Monday, bringing much relief to small publishers and lovers of the printed word.
Inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, which will run till March 13, the fair is being held after a little over two years, something the city’s tallest book lovers have been deprived of.
It was last held in 2020 from January 31 to February 9 – a few weeks before COVID-19 forced a nationwide lockdown – and the issue that dominated the event at the time was the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which the West Bengal protested strongly.
“It is always a pleasure to meet new readers, especially when they are eager to know about our new releases. It is even more rewarding when someone from a distant place comes to pick up some books that they want to buy. But could not order online due to delivery issues. In 2020, we were accepted as the best small stall and got overcrowded overnight,” said Bitan Chakraborty, founder of Hawakal Publishers and himself a writer said, as he had taken his place at the stall.
Book lover Arpita Mandal, once a regular at the fair but now living in the Caribbean, was ready to fly back after a short trip to Kolkata, when a personal setback forced her to postpone her return. He did it, which gave him a chance to live again. His memories after 16 years.
“When I was growing up it was an annual ritual, first with parents and then with friends. Initially it was Feluda and Byomkesh, then Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie. Even if there are long queues, one has to suffer because of books, food and friends. Many new Indian writers are now on stage. In fact, some of my contacts are now authors and their books will be released during the fair; I am very much looking forward to visiting those stalls,” said Jamaica-based Dr Mandal, an associate professor at the University of the West Indies.
Being Held at the Central Park Ground in Salt Lake City, 45 th The fair’s edition includes 600 stalls, 200 small magazines and 20 countries.
Bangladesh, which celebrated 50 years of independence in 2021, the year the fair could not be held, is the theme country from where 50 publishers are participating in the event.
“The book fair carries an emotional connect with the city. I have been indulging in it since my school days, when it used to be in the field. When I see the fire I remember the lump in my throat [at the venue] in 1997. I am very happy that it is finally being organized after a gap of two years. The only thing I want to change is the sound of it. The bookworm should be able to hear a writer clear his throat,” said IPS officer Dyutiman Bhattacharya, who is posted as Deputy Commissioner of Police in Howrah and is also a passionate cartoonist.
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