With literature from all across the globe, including France, Spain, Turkey, Iran, and from closer home, Nepal and Sri Lanka, more than 35 international publishers are participating in the New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) to the delight of the book lovers.

The nine-day fair, which began on February 25 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi will conclude on March 5.

The New Delhi World Book Fair 2023 is being organised by National Book Trust, India in collaboration with ITPO. Entry for school students in uniform, senior citizens and the differently-abled persons at the book fair is free.

At the fair, a dedicated G20 Pavilion has been set up to showcase art, culture and literature of the countries that are a part of the G-20 forum. To take the fundamental facets of India’s G20 Presidency to the young readers, the Pavilion has a Sound Shower, which is an audio technology that provides a unique sensory experience.

Sharing her experience at the book fair, Srishty Sharma, a student from Kala Niketan International School, Delhi said, “I really enjoyed the sound shower. I learned that in the G20, there are 19 countries and 1 territory and they all want to conserve resources for future generations by working together.”

Another attraction that proved a big hit with the visitors is the Wall of History which has documented the G20 journey through the years.

Anastasia Strokina, a renowned author and storyteller from Russia, took the students from East Point School, Delhi and Rasta NGO on a trip through the streets of St. Petersburg with her story ‘A Cat Named Nelson’ at the Children’s Pavilion. She advised the students to read as many books as possible as only stories can help build imagination. The day saw an eclectic mix of storytelling sessions, origami workshop and competitions at the Pavilion.

At the Prime Time Talk at the Theme Pavilion, Subedar Major Yogendra Yadav said, “Books are our true friend. They guide us in life. Being educated and empathetic we should read as much as true knowledge lies.”

Earlier in the day, a seminar and book launch event for Marathi titles ‘Vasudev Balwant Fadke’ by Madhavi Vaidh, ‘Anant Laxman Kanhare’ by Vinita Telang, and ‘Ganesh Vasudevmawalnkar’ by Vibhavari Bidave was organised.

Preeti Bharadwaj, an educator from Delhi World Public School, Noida Extension, who had escorted his students to the fair on a school visit said, “Bringing kids to a book fair is important in every way. Children get excited looking at the colourful books of different publications and feel elated when they participate in the contests & competitions and win gifts and goodies. When the children were told about a visit to NDWBF, they got extremely thrilled.”