Literary Carnival Begins Jan 22: Kolkata Book Fair Enters Its 49th Edition

Photography : Sohom Mukherjee

With only ten days remaining, preparations are in full swing for the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair (IKBF) 2026, scheduled to be inaugurated on January 22 at 4 PM at the Boimela Prangan, Salt Lake. The fair will be formally inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister Smt. Mamata Banerjee.

This year’s opening ceremony will be graced by Mr. Gustavo Canzobre, eminent author from Argentina, and H.E. Mr. Mariano Agustin Caucino, Ambassador of Argentina in India, as Special Guests of Honour, along with noted authors, dignitaries and Hon’ble Ministers of the state.

Organisers announced that more than 1,000 participants will take part in the fair, with representation from around 20 countries, reinforcing Kolkata’s position as one of the world’s largest and most diverse book fairs.

A total of nine entry and exit gates will facilitate visitor movement, two of which will reflect Argentine architectural themes. Several gates and pavilions will be named to honour eminent personalities. Gates will be dedicated to Prafulla Roy and Pratul Mukhopadhyay, while another will commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Sailajananda Mukhopadhyay. The Little Magazine Pavilion will be named after poet Rahul Purakaystha, and the Mayukh Chowdhury Children’s Pavilion will mark his birth centenary.

The fair will observe Senior Citizens’ Day (‘Chiro Tarun’) on January 30 and Children’s Day on February 1. The birth centenary of Salil Chowdhury and Dr. Bhupen Hazarika will be commemorated through cultural programmes and panel discussions on January 26 and 27, respectively.

In a major boost to accessibility, the Book Fair venue will, for the first time, be directly connected by Metro from Howrah to Karunamoyee and Central Park via Esplanade. Metro services will run with increased frequency, and the last train will operate until around 10 PM on all fair days. A special Metro ticket booking booth with UPI facilities will also be set up inside the fairground.

Emphasising digital integration, the IKBF 2026 Android app, developed by Sister Nivedita University, will enable visitors to locate stalls using Google-based navigation. Digital ground maps and participant lists will be accessible through QR codes at all entry points. The fair will also maintain a strong virtual presence through its website and social media platforms. Sister Nivedita University is the Digital Partner for this edition.

Photo Courtesy : Sohom Mukherjee

Medical assistance, including ambulance services, will be provided by Peerless Hospitex Hospital and Research Centre Ltd., the Health Partner of IKBF 2026. Meghbela Broadband has been announced as the Exclusive Broadband Partner.
The organisers also acknowledged State Bank of India as the Official Banker, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company as the Official Insurer, and the National Jute Board as the Green Partner of the fair.

The popular initiative “Buy Books and Win a Library” will continue this year, with daily lotteries offering book gift coupons to visitors.

A key attraction of the fair will be the 12th edition of the Kolkata Literature Festival (KLF), scheduled to be held at the SBI Auditorium on January 24 and 25, 2026. Ms. Malavika Banerjee, Curator of KLF, was present to outline the programme highlights for the upcoming festival.

The 49th International Kolkata Book Fair is expected to draw lakhs of visitors, reaffirming Kolkata’s enduring reputation as the literary capital of India.