GUWAHATI: The state is ready to host the Assam Book Fair in seven different regions for the year 2023-2024. This will see the organizing of fairs namely in Haflong from October 1 - 7, in Lakhimpur from October 31 to November 9, November 26 – 27 in Sivasagar, and December 1 – 10 in Silchar for the year 2023.
Guwahati will also receive its edition of a book fair which will be held exclusively from December 25, 2023, to January 9, 2024, as stated by Pramod Kalita, secretary of the Assam Publication Board as per reports.
The Assam Book Fair, a premier book fair currently jointly produced by the Publication Board, Assam, and All Assam Book Publishers and Sellers Association, has taken the decision to be organised this year in smaller towns and cities in the state thanks to the popularity of last year's event.
It is to be noted that the "Assam Book Fair" was created last year by combining the "Guwahati Book Fair," which was previously arranged by the publication board, and the "North East Book Fair," which was hosted by the book publishers and sellers association.
The Assam Book Fair in Guwahati is reportedly planned to take place at the Assam Institute of Engineering grounds.
Speaking to the media sources, Pramod Kalita also stated, “On a war footing, we are ramping up all essential preparations for holding the book fairs.”
The organisers extended their gratitude to all of the book purchasers and readers for contributing to the success of the Assam Book Fair held in Guwahati, Dhemaji, Jorhat, Nalbari, Diphu, and Bongaigaon last year.
These book fairs have been intensively successful in starting a book movement in Assam, which the state's media community also deserves credit for. According to the Publication Board's secretary, these book fairs have made a place for a stable domestic and international market for books.
Stating to the media Pramod Kalita also said, "The book fairs have played a positive role in bringing the younger generation of writers from different parts of Assam to a common platform for intellectual discussions and thus adding a new dimension to the book movement in Assam."
Additionally, he added, "These book fairs have given the Assamese publishers and sellers of books a great deal of relief in dealing with the losses incurred during the lockdown that was brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notably, hundreds of book lovers, both young and old, flocked to the Guwahati book festival earlier this year. Over Rs 5 crore in sales and over 6 lakh visitors attended the book expo.”
Booksellers and publishers from Bangladesh, West Bengal, and New Delhi set up stalls to draw avid readers and enthusiasts to the venue.
As the COVID-19 pandemic showcased its wrath, the book fair was cancelled in 2020.
The subsequent year, however, saw lower footfall and overall sales since the pandemic crisis persisted, albeit lesser than that seen in 2020. This year plan to bring in the masses and attract crowds to the book fairs.
ALSO READ | Assam Kid Youngest English Author At Kolkata International Book Fair