Lucknow: The 23rd National Book Fair will begin on October 1 at Balrampur Garden on Ashok Marg, Lucknow, bringing together books, literature, cultural programmes and competitions over 11 days. This year’s fair will be dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak has agreed to inaugurate the book fair at 5 pm on October 1. The inaugural day will also feature a dance performance by the Ratan Sisters troupe.
Speaking at a press conference at the venue, fair convenor Manoj Singh Chandel said the initiative, which began nearly 25 years ago, has helped establish a regular book-fair culture in the city. He described the event as a celebration of knowledge and culture, bringing together publications catering to readers of different ages and interests.
Fair director Akarsh Chandel said the event will cover around 75,000 square feet and feature more than 120 stalls representing over 50 reputed publishers. Visitors will find thousands of books in Hindi, English and other regional languages, including literature, academic titles, children’s books and rare publications.
The fair will have free entry and will remain open daily from 11 am to 9 pm. Every book purchased at the fair will be available at a minimum discount of 10 per cent.
Publishers from Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Prayagraj, Agra, Bhagalpur and Raipur, besides several local publishers from Lucknow, will participate. Among the participating publishers are Prabhat Prakashan, Unbound Script, Sasta Sahitya Mandal, Vani Prakashan, Bharatiya Jnanpith, Rajpal & Sons, Samyak Prakashan, Samayik Prakashan, Manjul Publishing, Setu Prakashan and Rekhta Publications.
Local institutions and publishers including Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan, Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy, Ramakrishna Math, Gyanarchi Books, Nav Pallav Books, Bodhras Prakashan, Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, The Intellectuals, Uttar Pradesh Sahitya Sabha and Hindi Vangmay Nidhi will also have stalls.
The literary programme will feature interactions with writers, discussions, poetry sessions and book launches. Books by writers including Rahees Singh, Dr Rashmi Srivastava, Karuna Pandey, Santosh Valmiki, Brajesh Kumar Mishra, Vivek Shukla, Neelam Rakesh and Manish Shukla are scheduled to be launched during the fair.
Children will have dedicated storytelling sessions and competitions, while a separate stall will showcase books by local authors.
According to the organisers, the annual fair aims to promote reading habits and provide publishers and writers with a platform to showcase their work. Over the years, it has emerged as one of North India’s anticipated literary events.
The fair is being supported by institutions and organisations including UP Metro, Radio City, Origins, Kiran Foundation, Join Hands Foundation, Lokangan, Vishwam Foundations, Vijay Studio, Golden Grass and Kavita Kisse Kahaniyan.
