50th Kolkata Book Fair 2027
The International Kolkata Book Fair will enter a major milestone in 2027 as it celebrates its 50th edition. Organisers have announced that the 50th International Kolkata Book Fair will be held from January 22 to February 3, 2027.
The golden jubilee edition is expected to bring several changes to the way the fair is organised. The West Bengal government recently formed a 24-member advisory board to oversee and coordinate preparations for the landmark edition. The fair will be jointly organised by the Publishers and Booksellers Guild, the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) and the National Book Trust.
The 50th edition will begin on January 22 and continue until February 3, 2027. The dates have also been published on the official International Kolkata Book Fair website.
The event assumes special significance because the Kolkata Book Fair, which began in 1976, is completing five decades in 2027. Organisers are therefore planning changes not only to the programming but also to the management and allocation of stalls.
The 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram is being positioned as the central theme of the 50th Kolkata Book Fair.
At the same time, Israel is being considered as the Theme Country for the 2027 edition. However, the proposal still requires final government approval before it can be confirmed.
Organisers are also considering other cultural and literary milestones for the landmark edition, including themes linked to Bengal’s literary and popular culture.
One of the major changes planned for the 50th edition is a technology-driven system for allocating stalls. Organisers are considering an automated stall allocation process, similar to systems used at major international book fairs. Publishers will be able to apply for stalls through the system.
The other major question is whether Bangladesh will return to the fair.
Bangladesh has not had a bookshop or pavilion at the Kolkata Book Fair for the past two editions. Its participation in the 2027 edition has also not been confirmed.
The issue has been discussed at length by the organisers, but objections have reportedly been raised by the committee and sections of the publishing community. Any decision regarding Bangladesh’s participation will require clearance from India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs.
The participation question is therefore still open, and the final decision is expected only after the required consultations and government clearances.
The 24-member advisory board formed by the state government is expected to play a significant role in guiding the preparations for the 50th edition. The new structure also reflects an effort to broaden participation and coordination beyond a single organising body.
With the dates now announced, preparations for the golden jubilee Kolkata Book Fair are set to gather pace. The 2027 edition promises to be significant not only because it marks 50 years of the fair, but also because of its proposed theme, possible international participation and changes to the way stalls are allocated.
For book lovers, however, one question will remain particularly important in the months ahead: will the familiar Bangladesh pavilion return to Kolkata in 2027?
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