Uncertainty looms over Bangladesh's participation in Kolkata Book Fair

Bengali book lovers across West Bengal and India eagerly await the Kolkata International Book Fair each year. However, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the participation of Bangladesh in the upcoming fair, sparking discussions among readers. Despite the geographical separation caused by the Partition, the cultural bond between the two Bengals has remained strong. The Bangladesh Pavilion, a prominent attraction of the fair, not only showcases a vast collection of Bangladeshi publications but also hosts renowned authors from the country.

Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government on August 5, the bilateral relations between the two countries have witnessed some instability. Complications regarding visas for Bangladeshi citizens traveling to India have further compounded the situation. Reports suggest that Bangladesh might not be able to participate in this year's Kolkata Book Fair.

The Publishers and Booksellers Guild, the organizing body of the fair, held a press conference on Friday, revealing that Bangladesh has not yet been included in the list of foreign participants for the event. They cited the lack of clearance from the central government as the primary reason. The organizers expressed concerns that the absence of Bangladesh would disappoint a significant segment of Bengali readers.

Meanwhile, preparations are in full swing for the book festival in Kolkata. The 48th Kolkata International Book Fair will be inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on January 28, near the Karunamoyee Bus Terminal in Salt Lake. The fair will continue until February 9. Each year, the fair features a "Theme Country," and Bangladesh has been chosen multiple times in the past. This year, Germany will take center stage as the Theme Country—a first in the fair's 48-year history.

The Guild organized a press conference on Friday at a five-star hotel on Park Street to discuss the upcoming event. Present at the conference were Tridib Kumar Chattopadhyay, President of the Publishers and Booksellers Guild; Sudhanshu Sekhar Dey, General Secretary; Simon Kleinpass, Vice Consul of Germany in Kolkata; Astrid Wege, Director of the Goethe-Institut in Kolkata; and others.

Tridib Kumar Chattopadhyay confirmed that, alongside Indian publications, countries like the UK, USA, France, Italy, Spain, Peru, Argentina, Colombia, and other Latin American nations will participate in the 2025 fair. Notably absent from this list is Bangladesh, whose participation has been a hallmark of the event. Many Bengali readers look forward to acquiring rare books from Bangladesh at the fair.

Regarding Bangladesh’s participation, Chattopadhyay stated, “In this political climate, we are dependent on the central government’s decision. Whatever they decide, we will act accordingly.”

When asked whether the Bangladesh Pavilion would be missing this year, the Guild refrained from commenting but mentioned that two more press conferences will be held before the fair begins to announce further decisions.

At the event, the logo of the 48th Kolkata International Book Fair was unveiled. The organizers revealed that this year’s fair would feature 1,050 stalls. In the previous edition, the fair attracted 2.7 million visitors and generated book sales worth ₹23 crore.

Despite the grand preparations, a significant number of readers are eagerly awaiting news about the Bangladesh Pavilion. Suprakash Dey, an IT professional and avid book lover, remarked, “For us who love books, the book fair is a bigger festival than Durga Puja. If the Bangladesh Pavilion is missing this year, it would be a great loss as a Bengali. My experience at the fair would feel incomplete.”