Chennai, 22 December (IANS). The 49th edition of Chennai Book Fair, one of the largest cultural and literary fairs of Tamil Nadu, will start from January 8 and will run till January 21, 2026.
This time the fair was inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the Nandanam YMCA Ground, which is already famous for its sports and cultural functions.
Chennai Book Fair has been organized for many years and the number of people coming here increases every year. The fair will be open every day for the general public, where readers, writers, students and book lovers from all over the state and outside will participate. This year’s edition will mark a milestone for the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPSI) with a record 1,000 stalls, making it the largest in the history of the fair.
This is the first time that more than 1000 stalls are being set up in the Chennai Book Fair. In the last few years, 800-900 stalls have been set up in the fair. This time, due to increasing demand from publishers and participation of literary organizations, it has been decided to increase the number of stalls. This fair is not only for book lovers but is a unique confluence of culture and literature of the state, which people from around the state also come to see.
The fair will be attended by leading international publishing houses like Penguin Random House India, HarperCollins Publishers India, British Council and Simon & Schuster India. Tamil publishers from Malaysia and Singapore have also been given stalls in the event, while Tamil booksellers from Sri Lanka and several European countries are also expected to participate.
Bapasi said that apart from the sale of books, ‘Chinthanai Arangam’ or think tank sessions will also be organized at the fair, in which Tamil scholars, writers and intellectuals will share their views with readers on subjects ranging from classical literature to contemporary social issues. This is an opportunity for new readers and writers to learn something new. A large number of people are expected to attend these sessions, thereby strengthening the role of the fair as a platform for discussion and learning.
At the inaugural ceremony, Chief Minister Stalin will also honor writers of good and literary books with the Muttamilaringar Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Porkazhi Award.
–IANS
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