Chennai Book Fair to be inaugurated by Tamil Nadu CM Stalin on February 16th

on Feb 15, 2022

Chennai Book Fair is a much-awaited event that is to commence on 16th February. It is a 19-day event and will begin with the chief minister presenting the ‘Kalaignar Karunanidhi Porkizhi Virudhugal’ literary award along with other BAPASI awards to esteemed authors and Tamil Nadu scholars. The 45th edition of the Chennai Book Fair organized by the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPASI) will be inaugurated by Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday.

In conversation with the reporters, BAPASI president S Vairavan revealed that the book fair will be held at the YMCA grounds in Nandanam. “There will be 800 stalls as per the directions of the revenue and disaster management department. This time, the entrances have been named after Ki. Ra (acclaimed Tamil writer Ki Rajanarayanan) and Tho Paramasivan (renowned writer and former professor). Whereas, the main gate has been designed keeping in mind the Arignar Anna Memorial Library,” he said.

Health Minister Ma Subramania Bharathiyar will inaugurate three statues of freedom fighters Mahatma Gandhi, Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyar, and VO Chidambaram Pillai at the location. The organizers said that approximately 40,000 online tickets have been sold till now. The entry fee to the book fair is Rs. 10. However, school and college students are not supposed to pay any entry fee. Around one lakh books are set to arrive this time, BAPASI sources revealed.

“Keeping the Covid-19 situation in mind, sanitizers will be kept in every stall and visitors will be subjected to thermal screening. Moreover, not more than three people will be allowed inside a hall at a time. As many as 50-60 police officials will be deployed at the book fair. We will strictly monitor whether stall owners and visitors are adhering to Covid-19 protocols,” said P Mailavan, the vice-president of the BAPASI.

The archeological department will also exhibit ancient artifacts in a separate space at the fair.

Meanwhile, the organizers have made ‘Arusuvai Arasi’ the food partner of the exhibition. The fair will remain open to the public on all days from February 16 to March 6 between 11 am and 8 pm.