Pune’s Fergusson College grounds are set to transform into a literary haven as the ‘Pune Book Festival 2023,’ organized by the National Book Trust, India, unfolds from December 16 to 24. Milind Marathe, President of the National Book Trust, shared the exciting details during a recent press conference.
Joining him were key organizers of the festival, including Rajesh Pandey, President of Deccan Education Society, and Dr. Sharad Kunte and Dr. Ravindra Acharya, Vice Presidents. The festival’s emblem was unveiled, marking the first edition of this literary celebration in Pune, often hailed as the ‘Oxford of the East.’
Milind Marathe emphasized the extensive collection of books in English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, and various Indian languages, with the participation of renowned national publishers. The festival grounds will host over two hundred publishers’ galleries, cultural performances, literary sessions, special activities for students and collegians, and delectable food stalls.
Inspired by the success of book festivals in Gomti, Ladakh, Ujjain, Shimla, and Shillong, the National Book Trust (NBT) India aims to cultivate a love for books and promote a reading culture through the Pune Book Festival. The week-long event promises a literary delight, catering to diverse interests and age groups.
Rajesh Pandey expressed Pune’s unique atmosphere conducive to a reading culture, envisioning the city as a potential global market for books. The collaborative spirit of the festival is evident as it seeks the active participation of universities, colleges, schools, literary institutes, libraries, publishing houses, writers, and scholars throughout the city.
Dr. Sharad Kunte emphasized the holistic development of education beyond conventional methods, underscoring the importance of instilling a reading culture among students. The Pune Book Festival becomes a platform for this endeavor, offering thousands of books to explore and fostering a rich literary experience.
