Bhubaneswar, Dec 5: The seventh edition of the Odisha State Book Festival is set to commence on December 6 at the Unit-3 Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar. Organized by the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, the 12-day festival will continue till December 17.
This year’s event will feature around 550 stalls with the participation of nearly 250 publishers and book sellers. Six international publishing houses are also slated to join the fair, making it one of the largest literary gatherings in the state.
The department has announced the creation of two special theme pavilions—one dedicated to Odisha’s women freedom fighters and another commemorating Sardar Patel’s 150th birth anniversary. The main entrance gate has been named after noted freedom fighter Maa Ramadevi, the main stage after eminent writer Ramakanta Rath, and the internal entrance gate after the revered saint-poet Bhima Bhoi.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will inaugurate the festival on December 6. Booker Prize-winning author Shehan Karunatilaka, whose celebrated work The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida won the 2022 Booker Prize, will grace the inaugural ceremony as a special guest. Renowned writer and Jnanpith Awardee Dr. Pratibha Ray will also attend as a guest of honour.
Speaking about this year’s arrangements, Culture Minister Suryavanshi Suraj said that the festival aims to highlight the literary contributions of freedom fighters and eminent scholars. He noted that the theme pavilions and participation from national and international publishing houses would further enrich the state’s literary environment.
The festival will also feature a coffee corner to facilitate interactions between writers and readers, along with food stalls and selfie points to enhance visitor experience.
Several newspaper organizations, government departments, the Sahitya Akademi, and the National Book Trust will set up stalls. The event is being organized with support from the Odisha Book Publishers and Sellers Association, Odisha Publishers Association, Dhauli Book Trust, Bhubaneswar Book Fair committee, and various publishers from within and outside the state.
