Ahmedabad: Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendrabhai Patel will be inaugurating the 1st edition of the Ahmedabad International Book Festival on 30th November at the Sabarmati Riverfront Event Centre in Ahmedabad.

The organisers in an official statement said, “Building on the legacy of one of the world’s largest reading initiatives, ‘Vanche Gujarat,’ the team behind the world’s largest book fair, New Delhi World Book Fair 2024, brings the festivity of world literature to Ahmedabad. The partnership between the National Book Trust, India, and the Municipal Corporation of Ahmedabad marks a new chapter in the incredible legacy of the last 12 years of the Amdavad National Book Fair as it evolves into the Ahmedabad International Book Fair.”

The 9-day-long festival from 30th November to 8th December will provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and will showcase literature and culture from the region to the global audience, providing an opportunity for publishers, thinkers, and philosophers to engage with the readers.

Total 340 stalls by 147 exhibitors (publishers, distributors, booksellers) from different parts of India Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu will be part of the fest. Spread over a 325,000 sq. ft. area, AIBF is set to be one of the largest book festivals in India. This is a step towards making the city of Ahmedabad the UNESCO World Book Capital in the coming years and also establishes an international book fair with multi-country participation in the years to come.

The Ahmedabad International Book Festival will feature cultural institutions and publishers like the National Book Trust, India; Rashtriya E-Pustakalaya; Sahitya Akademi; and Sangeet Natak Akademi. Renowned publishers such as Rajkamal Prakashan, Jaico Publishing House, Pan Macmillan India, Atlantic Publishers, Vitasta Publishing, Niyogi Books, and Navneet Education Limited will also be present, offering a rich array of literature, art, and cultural heritage.

The fest will have more than 100 literary sessions across 5 stages—Pragya Shivir (Children’s Pavilion), Shabd Samsara (Authors’ Corner), Gyaan Ganga (Literary Stage for Creative Workshops), International Lit. Stage, Culinary Literature Stage (Rasoi aur Kitaab), Rangmanch (Cultural Stage), and Abhiklap (Design+). The book fest will feature diverse art forms like dance, drama, poetry, and creative writing to celebrate storytelling in multiple formats and will witness diverse participation from artists, writers, thinkers, and experts.

The literary sessions at the Ahmedabad International Book Fair will enrich the overall experience for both readers and authors and will provide an engaging platform of activities that make the event more immersive and memorable. The literary sessions will serve as a bridge between authors, readers, and the broader literary world. The list of speakers includes global participants from Spain, Sri Lanka, Poland, Denmark, Scotland, Singapore, and the UAE, and celebrated Gujarati authors. The celebrated list of authors includes Padma Shri Raghuveer Chaudhary, Padma Shri Kumar Pal Desai, Padma Shri Jagdish Trivedi, Padma Shri Shahbuddin Rathod, Monika Halan, Ram Mori, E. V. Ramakishan, Saurabh Bajaj, William Dalrymple, Guillermo Rodriguez Martin, Monica Kowaleczko-Szumowska, and Mette Johansson.

 

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Another AIBF staple, The Cultural Stage Rangmanch, will have a lineup of performances celebrating the confluence of literature, art, and music. Highlights include the internationally acclaimed Mystic Travellers from Spain, a unique Kathakali performance by Monica de la Fuente and Vidya Shah, along with the spellbinding Kijote Kathakali (a Kathakali adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes’ classic Don Quijote, directed by Ignacio García and performed by Margi Kathakali). Audiences will also be treated to the soulful melodies of Chinmayi Tripathi and Joel’s Kavyaraag, a band performance by Imna Yaden and The Tribalcreed, and a vibrant showcase by Ahmedabad-based Mukt Band, known for blending literature and music. Adding to the cultural festivity, the Sindhi community will present an engaging Kavi Sammelan, celebrating the beauty of poetry.

In a special addition, NBT has partnered with AICFF to celebrate storytelling and creative expressions through books and films. Screenings of award-winning children’s films from around the world, including titles like Big, The Storm (from China), Masti Ni Pathshala (Gujarat, India), Desa Tuman (Indonesia), Bottles (Morocco), Felix the Fox (USA), Ballad of the Mountain (India), and Khappe (India), will take place, adding a visual dimension to the celebration of creativity and storytelling.

The children’s sessions at AIBF, hosted under the name Pragya Shivir, offer a unique and diverse blend of workshops and activities, combining fun with learning. From exploring science through sessions like Science Magic and Rocket Launchers to storytelling adventures like Tales from the Forest and Gujarati Folk Tales, there’s something for every young mind. Highlights include renowned author Swati Sengupta’s session on War, Peace, and Independence. Workshops on emotional intelligence, creative writing, and even wildlife-focused sessions like Lion of the Gir are all set to make the corner a truly diverse blend for children. With a rich mix of culture, creativity, and knowledge, Pragya Shivir promises an enriching experience for young learners.

The Ahmedabad International Book Festival 2024, now going international for the first time, will serve as a dynamic cultural hub for book and culture enthusiasts.