Booklovers are in for a pre-Puja treat. The Publishers' and Booksellers’ Guild, in association with West Bengal Bangla Academy and the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs, Government of West Bengal, will organise Sharod Boi Parbon at Bangla Academy ground, Rabindra Sadan, from September 2 to 12.
“We could not hold the festival since 2015 because of construction work on the Bangla Academy ground. Now that the place has been renovated and is ready, we have decided to re-start our endeavour,” said Sudhanshu Sekhar Dey, general secretary, Publishers and Booksellers’ Guild.
“A variety of books will be on offer and buyers will get hefty discounts. Both new and pre-owned books will be available at the festival,” said Tridib Kumar Chatterjee, general secretary, Publishers’ and Booksellers’ Guild.
Cultural events and discussions have also been planned during the festival. “We have invited popular authors and academics for panel discussions on topics like women authors, how to popularise books and more," Chatterjee said.
The programme schedule will be shared on the official social media accounts of the Guild. Author Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay will inaugurate the festival on September 1. Author Bani Basu will be the chief guest while education minister Bratya Basu will be the guest of honour at the inaugural ceremony.