Bhubaneswar, Oct. 30: The favourite time of the year for book lovers begins today with the inauguration of the Kalinga Book Fair at the Exhibition Ground.
Shortly a number of book fairs will follow bringing latest releases in regional languages and English and piles of old books at great discounts.
The 18th edition of the Kalinga Book Fair has roped in publishers and booksellers from across the country who have come up with interesting offers. There are over 100 kiosks that have books of all genres starting from religious to academic and non-fiction to fiction. About 30 kiosks are dedicated to Odia books. Many national publishing houses have also taken part in the fair.
Apart from books, one can also find toy shops, stationery and eatery joints too. Cultural programmes are also lined up. A number of books will be launched on the occasion and eminent literary figures will interact with readers. Awards will also be presented on November 7. The event continues till November 8.
Booklovers will be spoilt for choice as the Ekamra book festival is also scheduled to begin on Saturday at the Janata Maidan. This fair enters its fifth year and apart from offering books, it also hosts poetry recitation and seminars on humour in literature. Scientific books in Odia are also available here. The festival will showcase cultural programmes every evening.
While a couple of other book fairs will be organised in December and January, the oldest book fair of the state, the Bhubaneswar Book Fair will be held in February.
Both readers and authors feel these events are significant in popularising and promoting reading habits as well as Odia literature.
"Book fairs help us get bestsellers at much less price and also expose us to books we probably miss out on when buying online," said Sanjeev Padhi, an avid reader.
President of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi, Satakadi Hota, who was present at the inaugural ceremony of Kalinga Book Fair along with eminent author Sitakant Mahapatra, said that such platforms give Odia writers a chance to interact with readers, which in turn helps them understand what they are looking for.
"A writer doesn't necessarily write to suit all readers. But authors, too, get to know the trend at book fair interactions," he said.
