Archive · 8 Sep 2026
50th Kolkata Book Fair Marks Vande Mataram’s 150th Anniversary
The Kolkata Book Fair will hold its 50th edition next year.
It will take place from January 22 to February 3.
The main subject will be 150 years of Vande Mataram.
The fair may choose Israel as its special theme country.
Organisers have not made that decision yet.
They also want to discuss Bengal’s history, literature, and culture.
New ideas may include computer-based stall assignments for publishers.
Bangladesh’s participation will depend partly on decisions by Indian government ministries.
The 50th International Kolkata Book Fair will run from January 22 to February 3 next year.
Its central theme will be the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram.
Israel is being considered as the theme country, but the advisory committee has not decided.
Planned subjects include Bengal’s history, Partition, the Bengal Renaissance, and West Bengal’s formation.
Organisers are considering automated stall allocation, while Bangladesh’s participation remains dependent on government positions.
- Who
- The International Kolkata Book Fair organisers and its advisory committee, led in the announcement by convenor Prosenjit Bakshi.
- What
- The 50th International Kolkata Book Fair will focus on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram.
- When
- January 22 to February 3 next year.
- Where
- Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
- Why
- To mark Vande Mataram’s anniversary and explore themes connected to India’s freedom movement, nationalism, Bengal’s history, literature, and culture.
- Event
- 50th International Kolkata Book Fair
- Dates
- January 22 to February 3 next year
- Central theme
- 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram
- Possible theme country
- Israel
- Historical subjects
- Partition, West Bengal’s formation, and the Bengal Renaissance
- Cultural subjects
- Uttam Kumar’s centenary and the 100th anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore’s play Raktakarabi
- Bangladesh participation
- Its participation will likely depend on the positions of India’s Union Home and External Affairs ministries