The 13-day 36th Chennai Book Fair, one of the biggest annual platforms for Tamil publishers, will begin on Friday.
After being held at St. George’s Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School for the past six years, the book fair will shift to YMCA College of Physical Education Ground in Nandanam.
But, this, observed, R.S. Shanmugham, President, Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPASI), should be no deterrent.
“The venue can accommodate more number of stalls, and is also centrally located. We are expecting at least 10 lakh visitors,” he said.
Starting January 11, the 1,80,000 sq ft of land will be the venue to 747 stalls from 450 participants, compared to 687 stalls last year.
Expected to have nearly 10 lakh titles, the books will span across genres.
Mr. Shanmugham said that all the stalls have been insured. “A police outpost, fire service, ambulance service and first aid have been arranged at the venue. We will also have wheel chairs,” he said. Facility for parking has been made at the venue and will be charged nominally.
There would be a discount of 10 per cent on all the books. Tickets to the fair will be priced at Rs. 5.
The fair will be open between 2.30 and 8.30 p.m. on working days, and 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
