Chennai Book Fair 2026 Sets Record with 1,000 Stalls, CM Stalin to Inaugurate

The 49th edition of the Chennai Book Fair, one of Tamil Nadu’s most prominent cultural and literary events, will be inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on January 8, 2026. The event will be held at the Nandhanam YMCA grounds in Chennai and will remain open to the public until January 21. Readers, writers, students, and literature enthusiasts from across the state and beyond are expected to attend in large numbers.

This year’s fair marks a historic milestone for the Booksellers and Publishers’ Association of South India (Bapasi), with a record 1,000 stalls being set up. This is the highest number of stalls in the fair’s history, surpassing the usual average of around 900 in recent years. Organisers attribute the expansion to growing demand from publishers and literary organisations, reflecting a steady rise in readership and interest in print culture.

The Chennai Book Fair 2026 will also showcase strong international participation. Leading global publishing houses such as Penguin Random House India, HarperCollins Publishers India, the British Council, and Simon & Schuster India will be part of the event. Adding to its global appeal, Tamil publishers from Malaysia and Singapore have been allotted stalls, while Tamil booksellers from Sri Lanka and several European countries are also expected to participate.

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In a significant step towards inclusivity, the fair will feature a dedicated stall for a queer publishing house run by transgender persons. Bapasi said the initiative reflects its commitment to social representation and equitable space in literature. The move underscores the fair’s evolving role as a platform that celebrates diverse voices and contemporary narratives alongside classical works.

Beyond book sales, the fair will host daily cultural and literary discussions at the ‘Chinthanai Arangam’ (Thought Forum). Renowned Tamil scholars, writers, and intellectuals will engage with audiences on topics ranging from classical Tamil literature to modern social issues. These sessions are expected to draw strong public participation and deepen the fair’s intellectual impact.

The inaugural ceremony will also see Chief Minister M.K. Stalin present the Muthamizharingar Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Porkizhi Awards for 2026. Outstanding publishers and contributors to Tamil literature will be honoured for their work and commitment. With global participation, cultural inclusivity, and intellectual exchange, the Chennai Book Fair 2026 promises to be one of the most vibrant editions yet.

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