Summary:
Good news for book lovers in Kolkata, it has been decided that a miniature book fair will be organised at Hrishikesh Park on Amherst Street from January 28 to 31 under the banner of the West Bengal Publishers Co-ordination Committee.
Earlier, Publishers and Booksellers Guild, decided to postpone the International Kolkata Book Fair (IKBF) indefinitely, publishers on College Street had started looking for other avenues to organize alternative fairs.
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Good news for book lovers in Kolkata, it has been decided that a miniature book fair will be organised at Hrishikesh Park on Amherst Street from January 28 to 31 under the banner of the West Bengal Publishers Co-ordination Committee.
Earlier, Publishers and Booksellers Guild, decided to postpone the International Kolkata Book Fair (IKBF) indefinitely, publishers on College Street had started looking for other avenues to organize alternative fairs.
The Kolkata Book Fair, as this new fair has been christened, is an effort of some publishers who have got together under the banner of the West Bengal Publishers Co-ordination Committee.
Publishers who have joined in the effort said that while other state-sponsored fairs are on, the Guild was dragging its feet over IKBF, which is the main income avenue for most.
“We have not cancelled the fair but have just postponed it because it is not safe for people who will come in.
We have over 600 stalls in the fair and lakhs visit on weekends,” reasoned Guild general secretary Sudhangshu Dey.
“We understand that a small fair is happening and we welcome the effort.
The IKBF will happen when things become better,” said Guild president Tridib Chatterjee.
The committee members of the new fair said their effort was miniscule but it was still enough to bring smiles on the faces of at least 35-40 publishers.