Kolkata : With just a day left for its much-anticipated inauguration, the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair (IKBF) 2026 is set to once again turn the city into a global hub of literature, ideas and cultural exchange. Widely regarded as the pride of Kolkata and one of the most celebrated literary gatherings in the world, the fair promises a vibrant confluence of authors, thinkers, artists, publishers and readers.
Grand Inauguration on January 21
The inaugural ceremony will be held at 4:00 pm and will be graced by Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, along with an illustrious panel of dignitaries including Gustavo Canzobre, renowned Tagore scholar and essayist from Argentina, H.E. Mariano Agustin Caucino, Ambassador of Argentina, Swapnamoy Chakraborty, and ministers of the Government of West Bengal, among other distinguished guests.
In a moment of special recognition, Swapnamoy Chakraborty will be conferred the prestigious GUILD Lifetime Literary Award, carrying a cash prize of ₹2,00,000, by the Chief Minister during the inaugural ceremony.
Senior Citizen’s Day Celebration
The Book Fair will also honour literary contributions across generations. Senior Citizen’s Day will be celebrated on January 30, 2026, at 4:30 pm, featuring felicitation of:
- Poet Mridul Dasgupta
- Publisher Rajendra Kumar Mehra of Rupa Publications
- Avid reader Nirmal Bhattacharya
Kolkata Literature Festival (KLF) 2026
A major highlight of the fair, the Kolkata Literature Festival (KLF), will be held on January 24 and 25, 2026, at the auditorium, featuring thought-provoking discussions, performances and conversations with leading literary and cultural figures.
KLF Schedule
24 January 2026
- 3:30 pm: Inauguration by Amitav Ghosh and Goutam Ghose; Presentation of the Samaresh Majumdar Prize by Amitav Ghosh to Goutam Ghose
- 4:00 pm: Bay of Stories – Amitav Ghosh in conversation with Arunava Sinha
- 4:50 pm: Trailokyanath Theke Emoji – Bangla Sahitye Hasyorosh with Chandril Bhattacharya, Ullash Mallick and Srijato; moderated by Agnijit Sen
- 5:40 pm: 25-ey 10? – Shireshendu Mukhopadhyay, Pracheta Gupta and Debarati Mukhopadhyay in conversation with Aveek Majumdar
- 6:30 pm: Books of Faith and Myth – Devdutt Pattanaik in conversation with Rahul Dev Bose
- 7:45 pm: Evening Raga – Sitar recital by Ustad Nishat Khan
25 January 2026
- 2:30 pm: Musical performance by students of Sister Nivedita University and Adamas University
- 3:30 pm: Bhoot – Bhobishot Aar Bortomaan with Anirban Bhattacharya, Avik Sarkar and Himadri Kishore Dasgupta; moderated by Somak
- 4:20 pm: Born in 1925–26 – Suman Mukhopadhyay, Sudhir Mishra and Sathya Saran in conversation with Shamya Dasgupta
- 5:20 pm: Insta Love? – Durjoy Datta in conversation with Rahul Dev Bose
- 6:10 pm: Hullabaloo to Loneliness – Kiran Desai in conversation with Sandip Roy
- 7:10 pm: Eka Anupam – Musical performance by Anupam Roy
A Celebration of Books and Beyond
The International Kolkata Book Fair continues to stand as a symbol of the city’s deep-rooted literary culture and its global outlook. As Kolkata prepares to welcome authors, publishers, and book lovers from across India and the world, the 49th edition promises to be a celebration of literature, dialogue and creative expression on a grand scale.
All are warmly invited to be part of the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair 2026 and make this iconic international event a resounding success once again.
