Last week, I had the chance to visit the New Delhi World Book Fair 2025, and it was an exhilarating and satisfying experience. Rows upon rows of books, the scent of fresh paper, and the buzz of book lovers from all walks of life made it an experience to remember.

The Book Fair Experience

I have been attending this book fair for the past four years now, and every year, it refreshes and rejuvenates me. There are hundreds of publishers, new publishing companies, self-publishing portals, and, most importantly, millions of books under one roof—books from different publishers, genres, languages, and cultures.

This year’s theme was ‘Republic @ 75‘ celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Indian constitution. “We the People” dominated the theme, and many books and literature about the Indian constitution and India were on display.

Playground for Kids

It’s an excellent place for kids to get in touch with their inside readers by browsing through multiple books by different known and unknown authors. The touch and feel of a real book entice the kids to flip through and explore further. From class books to exam preparation to Manga comics and renowned series, all were available. The book fair has good quality books in other Indian and foreign languages as well for kids to learn about other cultures or learn a language. Children can get into the habit of reading beyond the English books and besides the regular books available at any city bookshops.

The children’s pavilion was beautiful, and it was lovely to see children interacting with each other and participating in several activities. Parents could sit in a corner, and the children could keep themselves engaged for hours.

International Books

The focus country at this time was Russia. However, the Russian stalls didn’t have many books, and almost all the books present were in Russian, and translated books were very few. It seemed a little dull.

However, there were other countries like Turkiye that had a good number of books, and the stall was lively. Countries like France, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, etc., also had stalls at the fair promoting their books and culture.

Beyond Books

The book fair included not only books but also academic games, wooden toys, maps, exam preparation kits, language learning institutions, and other activities. This made it interesting for the audience of all age groups to look forward to something.

Several publishers invited authors to their stalls, who engaged with readers, signed books, and shared insights about their writing journeys. Also, renowned authors and artists were invited to discuss and perform at the event every day.

Tickets & Food

The ticket cost was cheap, ₹ 20/- for adults and ₹ 10./- for kids. However, I had difficulty finding the right link for online tickets. Finally, I found it in the Delhi government’s Saarthi App.

A good thing this time around was that there were eating options available inside the halls as well as in the outside food area. This helped people take a break, have a bite, refresh themselves, and then continue exploring the fair. The prices of food items were slightly on the higher side, but at least the options were there.

The Importance of Book Fairs in Today’s World

In an era where digital screens dominate our time, book fairs serve as a refreshing escape into the world of printed words. Here’s why they are more important than ever:

📚 Encouraging Reading Culture – With social media and short-form content taking over, book fairs rekindle a love for reading, especially among younger generations.

🌍 Bringing Global Literature to One Place – International book fairs expose readers to books from different cultures languages, broadening perspectives and promoting cross-cultural understanding.

👩‍🎓 Supporting Authors and Publishers – For many writers, book fairs are a great platform to showcase their work, engage with readers, build an audience, and get first-hand feedback from them.

🤝 Building a Literary Community – They create a space where book lovers, writers, and publishers can connect, discuss ideas, and share their passion for storytelling.

📖 A Break from the Digital World – In a time when most of our reading happens on screens, book fairs bring back the joy of holding a physical book and getting lost in its pages.

Final Thoughts

One of the best parts about the fair is meeting fellow readers—people eager to discuss books, recommend hidden gems and share their love for literature. It reminded me that despite the rise of digital content, the charm of holding a book, flipping its pages, and losing oneself in its world is still irreplaceable.

Attending the New Delhi World Book Fair 2025 was a reminder that books are not just about stories—they are about ideas, cultures, and connections. In a world that’s moving fast, book fairs provide a moment to slow down, explore, and appreciate the written word. And its important that the governments and societies continue to support it wholeheartedly so that this tradition continues to flourish with time.

If you haven’t been to a book fair recently, I highly recommend adding it to your list. You might just find your next favorite book—and who knows, maybe even an author who inspires you!

Have you ever been to a book fair? Share your experience in the comments! 📖✨