The much-awaited Assam Book Fair is set to return to Guwahati from December 24, bringing together publishers, writers and readers from across the country. The 14-day literary festival will be held at the Veterinary College Playground, Khanapara, and will feature 135 stalls, reflecting its growing scale and national reach.
Organised by the Assam Publication Board in collaboration with the All Assam Publishers and Booksellers Association, the fair will host publishers from major cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Haryana, alongside a strong presence of Assamese publishers. Organisers said the extended duration—two days longer than last year—signals rising public interest and wider participation.
The fair will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, with noted author Amish Tripathi expected to attend as a special guest. A wide range of literary events, including book releases, discussions, poetry sessions and cultural programmes, have been planned throughout the fair.
A key highlight this year will be the felicitation of young writers, with over 800 emerging authors set to receive financial assistance to encourage literary pursuits. Multilingual literary sessions will also be organised, featuring Assamese, Bodo, Karbi, Mising, Nepali and other languages, underlining the state’s linguistic diversity.
Auditoriums at the venue will be named after prominent cultural figures of Assam, paying tribute to the state’s rich literary and artistic heritage. The Assam Publication Board Sahitya Awards will also be presented during the fair to recognise outstanding contributions to literature.
The Assam Book Fair is part of the state government’s broader push to promote reading and publishing, with similar fairs planned in other districts as part of the “Year of Books” initiative. Organisers expressed hope that the Guwahati edition would further strengthen Assam’s position on the national literary map and inspire a new generation of readers and writers.
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