The Mela Prangan in Salt Lake, Kolkata, is going to be home to one of the biggest literary events, the 47th International Kolkata Book Fair (IKBF). The United Kingdom (UK) is the focal theme country this year, fourth time overall. West Bengal and the UK have a long-standing relationship that spans literature, English language training, collaboration in arts and culture, and scholarly exchange between students and academics.
The UK Theme Country pavilion is offering visitors and the youth of Kolkata a deeper view into the UK culture and expertise. Coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the British Council’s presence in India, the UK Pavilion is showcasing the best of the UK literature, culture and academic excellence. Alison Barrett MBE, director India, British Council, said, “We are thrilled at the initial excitement around the UK Theme Country Pavilion.
The Bengal-UK ties in literature go back a long way and have paved the way for the opportunities and partnerships in the present and the future. Over the next two weeks, visitors from all backgrounds can find a reason to visit the UK theme country pavilion, whether listening to authors and experts, indulging in quizzes, exploring educational opportunities in the UK.”
On the first day Michael Wilson, professor of drama and head of creative arts at Loughborough University participated in a thought-provoking ‘Great Talk’ on storytelling as collective thinking about climate change. At 6.30pm, Roma Agrawal MBE, a structural engineer, shared insights on ‘Three Bridges’, while Dr Robert Potts discussed New Creative Worlds: AI and Robotics at the Frontiers of Innovation, offering a fascinating exploration.
A focal point of the UK Pavilion, the Future of English, the exhibition will showcase the global impact and influence of the English language.