Germany Debuts as Theme Country at Kolkata Book Fair 2025 - GetBengal story

The 48th International Kolkata Book Fair is set to take place from January 28 to February 9, 2025, and this year marks a historic milestone as Germany participates as the theme country for the first time in the fair's 48-year history. Germany will present its rich cultural heritage and literary legacy, further strengthening the cultural ties between the two nations.

Tridib Chatterjee, President of the Publishers and Booksellers Guild, noted that the Kolkata Book Fair, first held in 1976, was inspired by the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany. Over the years, established Guild members have attended the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world's largest and oldest, while German delegates have also graced the Kolkata Book Fair on several occasions. This exchange has helped forge strong cultural and literary bonds between the two countries. India, in turn, was the theme country at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 1984 and 2006.

Astrid Weiss, Director of the Goethe Institute, expressed her honour at Germany being the focal country for this year’s event. Simon Kleinpass, Vice Consul of Germany in Kolkata, emphasized that the fair offers an opportunity to deepen cultural exchanges between the two nations further. Although German participation in the fair had paused after 2009 due to pollution concerns, the shift to the concreted premises at Salt Lake has made their return possible.

The German pavilion at the fair, with its theme "Shelf Life," has been designed by architect Anupama Kundu. It reflects a unique combination of sustainability and a cultural reverence for books, symbolizing the deep friendship between Germany and India. The pavilion will feature a diverse array of events, including seminars for readers of all ages, science discussions, exhibitions, workshops for young readers, trial sessions for learning German, live art installations, and musical performances.

A lineup of renowned German authors and artists will grace the fair, including Ulrike Almut Sandig, Monica Cantieni, Christian Kracht, Max Czollek, Tonio Schachter, Christopher Kloeble, and David Wagner. Notable graphic novelists like Aisha Franz, Bea Davis, and Maren Amini will also participate. Additionally, leading figures from the German publishing industry, such as Birt Kraft, Stiftung Buchkunst, Frankfurt Managing Director and Vice President Claudia Kaiser, will be in attendance. Dr. Philipp Ackermann, German Ambassador to India, expressed his excitement, stating that Germany is honored to be the focal country at this year’s Kolkata Book Fair.

The International Kolkata Book Fair 2025 promises to be a vibrant celebration of literature, culture, and friendship, running until February 9.