Record Footfall at International Kolkata Book Fair: 14 Lakh Visitors in Four Days

Kolkata Book Fair draws a record 14 lakh visitors in just four days, with publishers reporting 10% higher sales, signalling strong reader turnout and vibrant book buying.

on Jan 28, 2026

Record Footfall at International Kolkata Book Fair: 14 Lakh Visitors in Four Days

Kolkata’s iconic literary event, the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair (IKBF), has begun with impressive momentum, attracting nearly 14 lakh visitors in its first four days. This strong turnout, aided by an extended holiday weekend, shows a renewed enthusiasm for books and reading.

According to organizers, the fair’s attendance continued to grow even after the initial days, with around 15.5 lakh visitors reported by Tuesday. If this trend continues, this year’s edition is expected to exceed previous attendance figures, including last year’s total of about 27 lakh visitors.

Publishers and stallholders are also seeing approximately 10% more book sales compared to the same time last year; this is a positive sign for the industry and a boost for both publishers and authors. Stalls featuring everything from children’s books and little magazines to scientific research titles have been especially popular.

Along with classic and non-fiction works, visitors are actively browsing and buying new releases; more than 1,000 new books were launched at the fair this year.

Although the Bangladesh pavilion is absent for the second year in a row, books by Bangladeshi authors such as Humayun Ahmed, Jasimuddin, and Sadat Hossain remain in demand at Indian publishers’ stalls. Guild officials expressed satisfaction with the turnout and sales, highlighting that interest in books is strong among readers of all ages.