The focal theme country of the 47th International Kolkata Book Fair is the United Kingdom (UK), a country with which India has a close historical, cultural and diplomatic relationship. Moreover, 2023-2024 marks the 75 years of presence of British Council in India. The British Council has been an integral part of the book fair since very long. They played a major role in 1998 and 2015, like this year, when Great Britain was the theme country, and in 2009 when Scotland was the theme country.
Today, Mr. Andrew Fleming, the newly appointed British Deputy High Commissioner, East and North East India, and Dr. Debanjan Chakrabarti, Director of British Council, East and North East India, Tridib Chatterjee, Hony. General Secretary , Publishers & Booksellers Guild were present in a press conference at a city hotel.
Mr. Andrew Fleming shared his thoughts about their participation as a focal theme country at the book fair.
The International Kolkata Book Fair happens to be the biggest festival in the state after Durga Puja. The upcoming 47th International Kolkata Book Fair will be inaugurated on 18 January, and the fair will continue till 31st January 2024. It will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee. Eminent poets, writers and other scholars will be present as guests of honour.
Like every year, countries like America, France, Italy, Spain, Thailand, Australia, Bangladesh, Peru, Argentina, Colombia etc. are participating in the upcoming book fair. Germany will participate after 12 years. Besides, there are publications of other states of India, such as Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, Telangana, Kerala, Odisha, etc.
As always, there will be Little Magazine Pavilion, Children’s Pavilion and other attractions too.
One of the highlights of the International Kolkata Book Fair, the three-day Kolkata Literature Festival, KLF, will be held from 26th to 28th January 2024.
Report – Pratyusha Mukherjee
(Author is a Sr.journalist working for a western media with 20 years of experience in covering the east and northeast, with specialisation in Defence and Sports.In her illustrated career she has covered many major events and achieved International and National media awards for Journalism).
