Patna: The Patna Book Fair, one of India’s three largest book fairs, will be held at Gandhi Maidan from December 4 to 15, featuring more than 350 events across literature, cinema, art, poetry, food, health, education and employment. The 2026 edition will bring together publishers, writers, journalists, artists, students and readers from across the country.
According to the organisers, approximately 200 stalls will be set up, offering books across a wide range of subjects. This year’s fair is dedicated to folk poet Satyanarayan, the creator of Bihar’s state anthem, ‘Bihar Geet’, Ratneshwar, the fair’s president and a noted litterateur, said.
200 Stalls To Feature Publishers From Across India
The fair will host leading publishing houses and literary institutions, including Prabhat Prakashan, Rajkamal Prakashan, Vani Prakashan, Jnanpith, Upkar Prakashan, Hind Yugm, Sahitya Akademi, NCPUL and the Rekhta Foundation.
Visitors will be able to explore books on literature, education, competitive examinations, children’s literature and other subjects. The organisers said the fair aims to promote reading habits among the public and encourage younger generations to engage with literature.
Youth-Centric Programmes And Literary Awards
Several programmes will focus on young people and their creative expression. The ‘Chitthiyan’ segment, featuring letters that have remained memorable to their writers, will include a presentation by Dr Vimlendu. Young participants will also share letters they have written or those that have influenced their lives.
The ‘Youth Podium’, coordinated by Dr Varun, will provide a platform for discussions on the role of young people and the challenges they face in a changing society. Topics will include politics, art, literature and culture, with participants sharing their views on national and global issues.
The ‘Shabdankur’ programme, coordinated by Utkarsh Anand, will showcase poems, stories and satirical works by emerging writers. A three-member jury will select the recipient of the Shabdankur Award, while audience feedback will also be considered.
Daily ‘Kavya-Katha’ sessions, coordinated by Jayprakash, will feature poets and storytellers from across the country. A grand Kavi Sammelan will also bring together prominent poets.
Bihari Cuisine And A Dedicated Food Lounge
The ‘Swad Bihar’ programme, coordinated by Ashish Kumar, will showcase traditional Bihari delicacies alongside selected dishes from other parts of the country.
A dedicated food lounge will allow visitors to enjoy tea and refreshments while reading books, combining the fair’s literary attractions with a culinary experience.
5,000 Students From 70 Schools To Participate
The ‘Hunar’ programme, coordinated by Anjani Dhar, will provide school and college students with opportunities to showcase their talents through daily competitions.
Activities will include storytelling, mime, waste-to-craft projects, selfie challenges, painting, quizzes and Just-A-Minute (JAM) games. The organisers expect around 5,000 students from more than 70 schools to participate.
Under the ‘School Utsav’ initiative, students from various Patna schools will also present musical and dance performances.
Cinema Festival To Feature Daily Screenings
A dedicated cinema hall will be established at the fair for the ‘Cinema-Unema’ film festival, coordinated by Kumar Ravikant.
The festival will screen feature films, short films and documentaries daily. Discussions following the screenings will explore the films’ themes, with cinema artists and experts from across the country participating.
The festival will also provide opportunities for audiences to interact with filmmakers and other professionals. Prominent personalities from the cinema industry will be honoured during the event.
Health Dialogue With Doctors From Across India
The ‘Swasthya Samvad’ programme will return following its participation in the previous edition. Coordinated by Dr Vikas Shankar, the initiative will bring leading doctors from across the country to discuss health-related issues.
The sessions will include discussions on various medical topics and opportunities for visitors to ask questions directly to healthcare professionals. The programme aims to improve public access to health information.
Art Gallery And Street Theatre To Showcase Bihar’s Talent
A dedicated art gallery, coordinated by Mukesh Kumar, will exhibit works by young and senior artists, folk artists from Bihar and Padma award recipients.
Daily discussions and seminars on art will be organised, while distinguished artists will be honoured. Students from prominent colleges in Patna will also perform street plays under the ‘Nukkad Ke Rang’ programme.
Public Dialogue, Education And Employment Sessions
The popular ‘Jansamvad’ programme will return, bringing scholars and experts from different fields into conversations with the public. Prashant Ranjan will coordinate the sessions.
The fair will also feature ‘Coaching Master’ and ‘Gyan-Rozgar’ programmes under the coordination of Rekha Bharti Mishra, with participation from national-level educational and coaching institutions.
Other attractions will include ‘Yuva Swar’, ‘Nayi Kitab’, ‘Kala Deergha’ and ‘Bihar Samvadi’, adding to the fair’s focus on literature, knowledge, art and employment opportunities.
Writers, Journalists And Poets To Gather In Patna
The fair will host several prominent journalists, writers and literary personalities, including Harsh Vardhan Tripathi, Anant Vijay, Poonam Singh, Dr Vinay Kumar, Kiran Ghai, Jai Prakash Pandey, Madan Kashyap, Nivedita Jha and Sanjay Kundan.
Poets expected to participate include Anil Vibhakar, Chandan Singh, Vinay Saurav, Sarvesh Tiwari, Kumar Mukul, Shahanshah Alam, Khurshid Akbar, Prem Kiran, Shweta Ghazal and Aradhana Prasad.
Storytellers and literary figures such as Bhavna Shekhar, Prabhat Praneet, Rita Singh, Neelima Singh, Usha Ojha and Kiran Singh are also expected to attend.
With its extensive programme of literary, cultural, educational and creative activities, the Patna Book Fair is set to transform Gandhi Maidan into a meeting place for readers, writers, artists and students from December 4 to 15.
