Hyderabad, December 2024: The much-anticipated 37th edition of the Hyderabad Book Fair opened its doors at the NTR Stadium on Thursday, but the opening day saw a turnout that was lower than expected. The fair, which is scheduled to conclude on December 29, was inaugurated by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.
Shobhan Babu, vice-president of the Hyderabad Book Fair, shared that around 210 publishers from across India are participating this year, with over 370 stalls set up for book lovers. The event has a strong presence of Telugu books, with 165 stalls dedicated to them. Leading publishers such as Telugu Academy, Navchethana, Nava Telangana, Navodaya, Emesco, and international names like Penguin, Sage, and the Human Rights Forum are also showcasing their collections.
Apart from books, the fair offers a range of literary events including discussions, book launches, and interactive sessions. One of the attendees, Rajini, a bibliophile from Hyderabad, expressed her excitement: "As a book lover, this is my paradise. I've found books I've been searching for, and I can’t wait to dive into them," she said enthusiastically.
Bookshop owner Mohammed Nazaruddin, who has been participating in the fair for the past 20 years, predicted a steady turnout for the upcoming weekends. "I expect to see around 10,000 customers this time. Weekends are usually busier, and I'm preparing for a larger crowd," he said.
The organisers are optimistic about the event, hoping to attract 10 lakh book lovers over the next few days. Although the opening day had fewer visitors, with some aisles remaining empty and the energy subdued, they are hopeful that the crowds will increase as the fair progresses.
The Hyderabad Book Fair remains a major cultural event, drawing in readers, authors, and publishers from all over the country, making it a key date on the city's literary calendar.
