The 50th edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair 2022, from 8 – 16 January 2022 at
Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, will have a physical format. The special edition will
commemorate 75 years of the country’s independence with the theme ‘Azadi ka Amrit
Mahotsav.’ The book event will witness an array of literary activities including book
releases, book and picture exhibitions, panel discussions, seminars, workshops, author
interactions, and more at the exhibition’s theme pavilion.
The book fair will be held in its physical format after a gap due to the ongoing Covid-19
crisis. Held virtually in 2021, the NDWBF nevertheless saw participation from visitors
from over 70 countries, along with key Indian as well as international publishing houses.
The 2021 virtual edition is said to have garnered 2.8 million hits.
The annual book fair, organized by the National Book Trust, is much-awaited by
bibliophiles and publishing professionals in the capital. NDWBF serves as a window to the
Indian publishing arena, especially Indian language publishers, and for major publishing
houses around the globe. The fair will hold an exclusive photo exhibition to mark its 50
years from 1972 – 2022.
Guest of honor – France
France will be the guest of honor country at the 2022 edition of the event, and book lovers
can look forward to several literary events organized by it, as well as activities by other
participating countries at the Foreign Pavilion and the International Events Corner. This is
a reciprocal invitation as the French Government had invited India to be the guest of
honor country at Livre Paris 2021, commonly known as the Paris Book Fair. The French Pavilion will provide a chance to interact will contemporary French authors as well as publishers. The special pavilion will also showcase a good number of French books along with translated works.
The literary event will also host CEO Speak and New Delhi Rights Table for participating
publishers, booksellers, rights agents, book distributors, and business visitors to convene,
network, and talk business, translation, and book rights.
The 50th edition of the NDWBF will also host a special Child Author’s Corner and Yuva
Corner to develop children’s interest in reading from a young age. To mark 75 years of
independence, the Ministry of Education had launched a scheme titled ‘Yuva – Prime
Minister’s Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors’ to train young talented writers. A pan
India contest selected 75 young authors who were mentored by well-known writers. These writers will display their books at the Yuva Pavilion and interact with visitors, book
enthusiasts, as well as the other winners.
The Children’s Corner will promote literary experiences to develop the reading and
storytelling habit among kids such as street plays, quizzes, storytelling workshops, and
book discussions. The 2022 NDWBF will also have cultural programs and activities to
entertain visitors.
