Krithi International Book Fair 2018 kicks off with grandeur

02 Mar 2018
Nikhil
Features

The maiden book fair by the Kerala government was inaugurated on March 1 by the honourable Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan

‘Tis the season of books and literature in Kochi as the Krithi International Book Fair 2018 was thrown open to the public is a grand ceremony on March 1 at the Marine Drive Ground.
Beginning with native dances of Kerala – Ganeshavandanam, Mohiniattam, Oppana, Margam Kali, Parichamuttu Kali, Kolkali, Thiruvathirakali, and Seethangalthullal were performed by members of Dharani School of Performing Arts. It was followed by the official inauguration of the book fair by the Honourable Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan. The event was also graced by the presence of several eminent figures such as Kerala’s leading businessman, Chairman and Managing Director of LuLu Group International Yusuff Ali MA, National Award winning director and cinematographer Shaji N Karun, Minister for Co- Operation, Tourism and Devaswom in Government of Kerala Kadakampally Surendran, prominent Malayalam literary figure M K Sanu, member of the Communist Party of India MA Baby, Kochi mayor Sowmini Jain, among others.

Spread over the vast exhibition ground at Marine Drive, the book fair is set indoors in an air-conditioned space that harbours around 200 stalls from various state, national, and international publishing houses. A large installation of a crow with Vyllopilly’s poem ‘Kaakka’ inscribed all over it, welcomes visitors at the entrance of the fair. There is a well-equipped stage on the premises, which will be the venue for the Krithi Art Fest – where diverse cultural art and traditional performances of Kerala will be held every evening of the fair from 6 pm onwards. Shamianas line the ground outdoors, which will serve as the spot for Krithi Food Fest – where diverse mouthwatering cuisines will be dishes out to delight visitors.

The International Festival of Books and Authors is an allied event of the book fair, which will begin from March 6 at Bolgatty Palace. Eminent speakers from India and internationally will be an illustrious part of the literature fest, taking part in various events such as seminars, workshops, panel discussions, etc.
Krithi International Book Fest is open from March 1-11, 10 am to 8 pm at Marine Drive Ground.

For updates on the event and the schedule of the Art Fest, visit their website www.krithibookfest.com and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/KrithiBookFest/