Srinagar · 17 to 25 August 2024 · Education

Chinar Book Festival

The first book festival of its scale in the Kashmir valley, organised by the District Administration Srinagar with the National Book Trust at SKICC.

Chinar Book Festival
Chinar Book Festival Photo: The Tribune

The Challenge

Dr Bhat said at the inauguration that the culture of reading had declined and that the festival had been planned for two and a half months to address it. No book fair of comparable size had been held in the valley.

The Intervention

A nine-day book festival at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre, organised by the District Administration Srinagar in partnership with the National Book Trust, India, announced at a press briefing on 13 August 2024 and inaugurated on 17 August.

Implementation

More than 1,000 publishers took part with about 300 stalls, alongside author sessions, children's activities and cultural evenings. Entry was free.

Documented Outcome

1 lakh+ visitors over nine days, as reported by The Tribune

Attendance over nine days exceeded one lakh visitors. On 26 August 2024 the festival was declared an annual calendar event of the city.

I believe books can change the world. We have been planning this festival for the last two and a half months, and today, my dream has come true.

Dr Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat at the inauguration, Kashmir Observer, 17 August 2024

Source and Evidence

Related News

Related Videos

Related Initiatives in Srinagar

  1. Conceived and hosted the first Chinar Book Festival with National Book Trust at SKICC - 1,000+ publishers, 300 stalls, 1 lakh+ visitors; declared an annual calendar event

    EducationHeritage & cultureMedia report · Source

Related Case Studies