The International Kolkata Book Fair, also known as Boi Mela, is Asia's largest literary event and the world's most attended non-trade book fair, drawing millions of visitors annually with stalls from thousands of publishers, authors' meets, cultural programs, and international pavilions. The 48th edition took place from January 28 to February 9, 2025, at Boimela Prangan in Salt Lake (Central Park Mela Ground), featuring a record 1,057 stalls and Germany as the theme country with dedicated cultural exchanges, concerts, and author sessions. It attracted around 27 lakh visitors and generated book sales of about Rs 25 crore, though without participation from Bangladesh this year.
As of October 5, 2025, the event has concluded, with the next (49th) edition scheduled for January 22 to February 3, 2026, at the same venue. Smaller book-related stalls or pop-ups may appear during Durga Puja festivities in Kolkata around this time, but they are not the main fair. For updates, check the official site at kolkatabookfair.net or the Publishers & Booksellers Guild's social media.
GLOBAL PRESENCE OF BOI MELA
The International Kolkata Book Fair (Boi Mela) exhibits a strong global presence through its annual focal theme country, dedicated international pavilions, participation from foreign publishers and authors, and cross-cultural events that draw millions of visitors, including from abroad. Established in 1976 and inspired by the Frankfurt Book Fair, it has evolved into Asia's largest book fair and the world's most attended non-trade event, featuring stalls from over 20 countries in recent editions and collaborations with global literary institutions.
Focal Theme Countries and Special Pavilions
Each year, a guest country serves as the focal theme, with a prominent pavilion showcasing its literature, culture, and authors, often inaugurated by dignitaries from that nation. Past themes include France (1997, 2005, 2018), UK (1998, 2015, 2024), US (2008, 2011), Italy (2012), Mexico (2010), Spain (2006, 2023), and Germany (2025). These pavilions host events like author sessions, concerts, and exhibitions, promoting exchanges—e.g., Germany's 2025 participation emphasized sustainability and diversity with authors like Ulrike Almut Sandig and representatives from the Frankfurt Book Fair.
Foreign Publishers and Countries Represented
Foreign publishers from Europe, Latin America, Asia, and beyond set up stalls, often organized by consulates or cultural bodies like the British Council, Alliance Française, and US Information Service. In 2025, participants included the US, UK, France, Russia, Nepal, Spain, Peru, Argentina, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, alongside major houses like Oxford University Press and Springer Verlag. Earlier editions featured up to 20 countries, such as Japan, Cuba, Australia, Thailand, Italy, Vietnam, China, Israel, and Iran (debuting recently). Latin American nations are particularly prominent, with group pavilions in multiple years.
International Authors and Events
The fair hosts global authors for launches, discussions, and the integrated Kolkata Literature Festival (KLF), featuring Nobel laureates, Booker nominees, and figures like Vikram Seth, Richard Dawkins, Günter Grass, and Tahmima Anam. Events include workshops, quizzes, film screenings (e.g., Spanish films in 2023), poetry readings, and cultural performances like Baul singing alongside foreign music. Collaborations, such as the US-Kolkata Literary Exchange, enhance ties with events like laser shows and educational sessions.
This international footprint underscores Boi Mela's role as a bridge for literary and cultural diplomacy, with online streaming extending its reach globally via the official website.
Executive Committee of BOI Mela
The International Kolkata Book Fair (Boi Mela) is organized by the Publishers & Booksellers Guild, founded in 1975 as a premier forum to promote reading habits, support publishers and booksellers, and host the event annually. The Guild's executive committee oversees its operations, including planning, venue management, participant coordination, and cultural activities for the fair. While a full list of current members is not publicly detailed in available sources, key office bearers as of recent years (including 2024–2025 editions) include:
- Tridib Chatterjee: President (elected around 2020; also involved in decisions for the 2024 and 2025 fairs; associated with Patra Bharati publishing).
- Sudhangshu Sekhar Dey (also spelled Sudhanshu): General Secretary (active in 2023–2025; handles operational aspects like stall allocations and infrastructure).
- Tridib Kumar Chattopadhyay (or Chatterjee variant): Honorary General Secretary (long-term role since 2004; editor and publisher linked to the Guild).
Other noted members: Apu Dey (executive committee member, from Dey's Publishing), Milinda De (member), Raju Barman (joint secretary).
Historically, the Guild's first president was Sushil Mukherjea and general secretary Jayant Manaktala in 1975. The committee meets regularly to decide on fair logistics, such as dates, themes, and compliance with norms (e.g., environmental guidelines). For the latest full executive details or updates, contact the Guild at Guild House, 2B Jhamapukur Lane, Kolkata-700009 (email: guildpb@gmail.com; phone: +91 8274004588) or visit kolkatabookfair.net, which references an "Executive Committee" section.
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