A celebration of literature, art & culture at this book festival

Gomti Book Festival 2024, organised by the National Book Trust and powered by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, set against the serene backdrop of the Gomti River at River Front Park in Lucknow, has transformed the traditional concept of a book fair into a vibrant, multifaceted festival. This year the festival celebrates various forms of expression, from literature and poetry to cinema and regional art forms.

A treasure trove of books for every reader
Shikhar Upadhyay, a PhD student in media studies, expresses delight at the variety of books. He says, “I attended this festival last year, but I have to say the selection this time is exceptional. I’ve discovered many authors and books that are hard to find in stores.”

Readers seek insight into the life of Ratan Tata
“Titles by Ashutosh Garg, Amish Tripathi, and Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni are in high demand, as are psychological crime fiction by authors like Freida McFadden, AJ Finn and Katy Bent. After the demise of Ratan Tata, many visitors specifically asked for his biography, making it one of the festival’s best-sellers,” shared Vishwas Sathiya, a bookseller.
Fitness titles captivate young readers
“When we talk about books, we often picture pages bound together, but books represent so much more. At this festival, we’ve tried to capture that broader essence. Here, you’ll experience various forms of expression—poetry, classical dance, storytelling, workshops, sessions, and more. This year, we’ve even introduced a children’s film festival, showcasing films from India and around the world,” says Amit Singh, the festival in-charge, from the National Book Trust.

Cookbooks in high demand as health trends rise
As more people focus on healthy lifestyles, the demand for cookbooks has soared. Annapurna Amesur, a public health professional, noted, “When cooking, I prefer having a recipe book at hand. The selection here is outstanding.”
The festival, a grand convergence of knowledge, creativity, and culture, attracted a massive crowd to its colossal venue 130 stalls showcasing over 100,000 titles from more than 5,000 publishers, it is a haven for book enthusiasts.
- Manas Mishra