Kolkata Book Fair
| International Kolkata Book Fair কলকাতা আন্তর্জাতিক বই মেলা | |
|---|---|
Logo of International Kolkata Book Fair | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Multi-genre |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Venue | Central Park Mela Ground, Salt Lake, Kolkata |
| Location(s) | Kolkata |
| Country | India |
| Inaugurated | 1976 |
| Organized by | Publishers & Booksellers Guild |
| Website | www |
The International Kolkata Book Fair (formerly Calcutta Book Fair) is a winter fair in Kolkata. It is a unique book fair in the sense of not being a trade fair—the book fair is primarily for the general public rather than whole-sale distributors. It is the world's largest non-trade book fair, Asia's largest book fair (by publishers) and the most attended book fair in the world. It is the world's third-largest annual conglomeration of books after the Frankfurt Book Fair and the London Book Fair. Many Kolkatans consider the book fair an inherent part of Kolkata, and instances of people visiting the fair every day during its duration are not uncommon. The fair offers a typical fairground experience with a book flavour—with picnickers, singer-songwriters, and candy floss vendors. With a total footfall of over 2 million people, it is world's largest book fair by attendance.
The success of the Kolkata Book Fair has resulted in many book fairs in smaller cities in West Bengal like Siliguri, and also in Kolkata urban region itself. The book fair was inspired, in turn, by the Frankfurt Book Fair. In the year 2026, the Kolkata Book Fair will become the first Indian book fair to reach 50th edition, making it the oldest annual book fair of India. The New Delhi World Book Fair, though inaugurated in 1972, did not become an annual event till 2012, before which it was biennial.
The popularity of the Kolkata Book Fair was seminal in India being nominated the Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2006, according to the Frankfurt Book Fair organizers. The book fair has been celebrated in theatre, literature, songs and limericks in Kolkata.
The 44th International Kolkata Book Fair took place between 29 January and 9 February 2020 at the Central Park, Bidhannagar.
The 45th edition was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 45th International Kolkata Book Fair took place between 28 February 2022 and 13 march at the Central Park, Bidhannagar. The theme was Bangladesh.
The 48th International Kolkata Book Fair took place between 28 January and 9 February 2025 at the Boimela Prangan Karunamoyee, Salt Lake. Timing for 48th International Kolkata Book Fair is Daily 12 pm to 8 pm. The theme for 2025 is Germany.