This year twenty-five eminent Spanish authors will be present at the book fair such as Eva Baltasar, David Trueba, Agustín Fernández Mayo, Luis García Montero, Jordi Gracia, Jesús Aguado, Anna Caballé and Paula Ortiz, who will also present their film “La Novia”, based on the work “Bodas de sangre”, by Federico García Lorca.
The Book Fair Authority made some additional announcements in a press conference held at the Delhi residence of the Spainish Ambassador H.E. Mr José María Ridao Domínguez on 3rd January. Mr. Sudhangshu Sekhar Dey, President, Guild and Mr. Tridib Kr. Chatterjee, Honorary General Secretary, Guild were also present.
As earlier announced, the Focal theme of this fair is Spain. The fair will be held from 31st January to 12th February at the Central Park Mela Ground, newly named BOIMELA PRANGAN, Kolkata. The inaugural ceremony of the Book Fair will be held on 30 January 2023 at 4:30 pm. Like the last edition, the 46th International Kolkata Book Fair 2023 will be completely digitalized and the booklovers from abroad may enjoy the programs and seminars of the Book Fair on YouTube, Facebook and Kolkata Book Fair’s official website.
On all fair days, like every year, a lucky draw will be conducted, and 15 winners will receive book gift vouchers. Additionally, in order to promote the habit of reading books, the Guild will award Book Gift Coupons worth Rs. 25000 each for a significant number of bumper lottery winners who will buy books at the book fair.
There will be separate pavilions for each of the international publishing industry players, including Penguin Random House India, Harper Collins, Pan Macmillan, Rupa, Bloomsbury and others along with the regular direct participation from the countries like United Kingdom, United States of America, Bangladesh, Japan, France, Italy, Australia, Cuba and other Latin American countries. Thailand will be participating for the first time in the International Kolkata Book Fair.
The Theme Country- Spain Day will be celebrated on 31 January 2023. Children’s Day will be celebrated on 5 February 2023.
The official program of the International Kolkata Book Fair includes dialogues and round tables between Spanish and Indian authors, as well as between publishers from both countries. For the first time, rare punthis and manuscripts of Bengal will be exhibited in a pavilion in collaboration with the Asiatic Society.
The 9th edition of Kolkata Literature Festival 2023, an integral part of the International Kolkata Book Fair will be held at the auditorium of the fair ground for 3 days, from 9 to 11 February in the afternoon. The KLF 2023 will have the presence of the eminent literary personalities and celebrities from India and abroad who will join in different interactive sessions. KLF will also have musical and dance performance.