The 43rd Agartala Book Fair, themed ‘Sarvesam Shantir vhabatu’ (Let there be peace for all) is set to open its doors on Thursday, celebrating the spirit of literature and harmony. Chief Minister Professor (Dr.) Manik Saha will inaugurate the literary extravaganza at 5:00 pm at the Hapania International Fair Grounds.
Extensive preparations have transformed Hapania into a vibrant venue for this 13-day event, where publishers and book vendors have set up their stalls, brimming with a diverse collection of books. The fair will welcome visitors daily from 2:30 pm to 9:00 pm, extending its hours on holidays from 2:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
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Diverse Events and Attractions
The Department of Information and Culture, which organizes the event, has announced a range of daily activities to engage visitors. The fair will feature book launches, poetry readings, discussion forums, quizzes, and cultural performances.
Artists from across Tripura, as well as notable performers from other states, will add a vibrant touch to the cultural programs.
The department has also urged local clubs to invest in books for their libraries and to promote the fair among their communities.
To ensure accessibility for all, free bus services have been arranged from different parts of Agartala to the Hapania International Fair Grounds.
Participation from Across the Nation
This year’s fair boasts 159 stalls, including 42 operated by publishers and vendors from outside Tripura. Participants hail from literary hubs such as West Bengal, Assam, and New Delhi, promising a diverse array of books and publications.
Prestigious Awards Ceremony
A highlight of the Agartala Book Fair is the annual awards ceremony, scheduled for the closing day. Fourteen awards will be presented to recognize outstanding contributions in various fields, ranging from literature and classical music to folk culture and visual arts. The prestigious honors include:
- Dhirendra Krishna Memorial Award for Art and Architecture
- Salil Krishna Memorial Award for Literature
- Radhamohan Thakur Award for the Best Publication in Bengali
- Daulat Ahmed Award for the Best Publication in Kokborok
- Several young talent awards, such as the Satyaram Reang Award for Dance and Ashwini Kumar Biswas Memorial Award for Music.
The Department of Information and Culture warmly invites citizens to attend the inaugural ceremony tomorrow and participate in the fair’s festivities. The 43rd Agartala Book Fair promises to be a literary and cultural feast, uniting communities under the shared theme of ‘Sarvesam Shantir vhabatu’ (Let there be peace for all).
(Tripura, Northeast)
