The 44^th International Kolkata Book Fair will be inaugurated on 29^th January. The preparations are in full swing at Central Park Mela Complex, Salt Lake. A press meet was organized to update the media about the happenings in the soon to start Kolkata Book Fair.

The inauguration will be graced by Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee, Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri, H E Kudashev Nikolay Rishatovich, Ambassador of Russia In India, Vladimir Grigoriev, Eugene Vodolazkin from Russia and Hon’ble Ministers of the state of Bengal.

Some of the highlights of this year’s book fair are:

• About 600 stalls and 200 little magazine stalls will be present at the book fair.
• There will be nine entry and exit gates at the book fair. The theme gate will be the replica of Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, Russia.
• The two big halls have been named after Nabanita Dev Sen and Girish Karnad.
• For the visitors, Transport Department, Government of West Bengal will be providing additional bus services. With the help of Bidhannagar Police, the auto fare to various destinations has also been fixed for the book fair.
• Apart from car parking, parking provisions of cycles will also be provided.
• A special medical assistance service with ambulance and well equipped doctors by Peerless Hospitex Hospital and Research Center Limited. Health Partner of IKBF 2020 will be present.

A good number of authors from different countries like Spain, Russia, Australia, Argentina, Bangladesh, Scotland will be participating in interactive sessions and seminars along with noted Indian authors.

Guild has decided to donate books to old age homes from this year.

A special CESC Sahitya Samman will be awraded to Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri.

The 7^th Edition of Kolkata Literature Festival will be held from 6^th to 8^th February.

The book fair will continue till 9^th February. The timing is from 12 pm to 8 pm.

Priyanka Dutta