Jan 16 - 18, 2025

Chennai International Book Fair 2025

Register here
3
Exciting Days

Welcome to the Chennai International Book Fair

The Chennai International Book Fair (CIBF) is rapidly becoming one of Asia's most attractive international book fairs. With two years of grand success, with participation from more than 60 countries, CIBF is gearing up for its third edition in mid-January 2025.

 

Held amidst the grand Pongal celebrations (Harvest Festival) in Tamil Nadu, India's southernmost state, this fair showcases one of the world's fastest-growing and linguistically diverse book markets. CIBF warmly welcomes publishers, writers, agents, publishing professionals and readers from every corner of the globe.

Tamil Language

Tamil is more than just a language ; it is ranked among the world's top 10 classical languages, with 2500 years of literary culture. It serves as an official, national, or recognized language in 10 countries, while the Tamil diaspora is present in around 65 nations, with a total population of 80 million.

About the organizers

Directorate of Public Libraries

The Directorate of Public Libraries envisions to meet the information needs of users of all ages through effective library services, digitization of rare books, ensuring good infrastructure, and offering quality reading materials, to support education and promote cultural awareness.

The Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation

The Tamil Nadu Text Book and Educational Services Corporation, as part of their mandate from the government, publish textbooks, promote Tamil books through translation, and collaborate with publishers from around the world to spread awareness about Tamil literary works. Additionally, they organize CIBF and Tamil Nadu Translation Grant programs.

Mr.S.Elango Chandra Kumar,

  • Joint Director
  • Director of Public Libraries
  • 737/1, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
  • Contact: +91 94440 63673
  • Email: internationalbookfairchennai@tn.gov.in

Dr.T.S.Saravanan.,

  • Joint Director (Translation)
  • Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation
  • College Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai -600006,
  • Contact: +91 87546 51654
  • Email: drtsscibf@gmail.com

Mr.S.Senthilnathan,

  • International Coordinator
  • Contact: +91 98841 55289,
  • Email: internationalbookfairchennai@tn.gov.in

Global and local

CIBF primarily functions as a rights fair. Explore global participants along with key personalities in the Tamil and Indian language publishing industries.

Ideal Timing

The event aligns with 48 years old  the Chennai Book Fair, a major book buying festival that draws in a million readers over a span of three weeks. January is a month filled with Tamil festivities for the 80 million Tamils in four nations where Tamil is an official language, as well as in numerous countries with large Tamil populations.

The Festival Gift!

No Participation Fees

Most importantly, all of these services are provided to participants at no charge. That's right; there are no fees for any of CIBF's programs for trade visitors, whether it's for entry, exhibiting, participating in the rights hub, or conference attendance.

Free booths and rights access

CIBF provides complimentary booths for international participants representing their countries and languages. Additionally, all participants can access the rights table at no cost.

Government Support

The government of Tamil Nadu, which organizes this event, provides translation grants and fellowship programs for publishers collaborating with CIBF to advance its mission: Taking Tamil to the World, and Bringing the World to Tamil.

Goals

• Buy and sell rights • Take Tamil literature globally and win grants and fellowships

Strategy

• Plan your India strategy in Chennai • Connecting the east and west of Asia, Tamil Nadu is your Asian launchpad

Networking

• 200+ Tamil publishers • 100+ publishers and agents from other Indian languages. • 100+ publishers and agents from other countries.

Why CIBF?

Advantages of CIBF


It is the first Book Rights Exchange fair globally.

India, with its rich linguistic heritage, recognizes several official languages in its Constitution. The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution recognises these languages

 

1. Assamese, 2. Bengali, 3. Bodo, 4. Dogri, 5. Gujarati, 6. Hindi, 7. Kannada, 8. Kashmiri, 9. Konkani, 10. Maithili, 11. Malayalam, 12. Manipuri, 13. Marathi, 14. Nepali, 15. Odia, 16. Punjabi, 17. Sanskrit, 18. Santali, 19. Sindhi, 20. Tamil, 21. Telugu, 22. Urdu

 

These languages represent the diverse linguistic culture of India and have rich literature and educational books. India has over 16000 publishers across 30+ languages, with Tamil Nadu alone having over 500+ publishers.

Special Programs

Translation Grants – Now Open

Tamil Nadu Translation Grant Program is open. Publishers can apply now!

3
Exciting Days

CIBF Fellowship

CIBF Fellowship program for 2025 is announced. Apply now.

Honorable Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development

Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin

"CIBF has served as more than just a book fair; since its inception, it has been a global platform for knowledge sharing. I am pleased to learn that numerous workshops, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and seminars have also taken place here. Eminent speakers from all over the world have come to share their insights, delivering lectures on a variety of topics such as new trends in international markets, digital strategies for global success, and best practices for cross-cultural communication."

Honorable Minister for School Education

Thiru Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi

"The success of this debut book fair, conceived within two months, is due to the trust of the global publishing industry. Chennai is on its way to becoming one of the top global hubs of the publishing sector. That position will be secured in a matter of time by creating an ecosystem for publishers and agents worldwide. This land of literature with voracious readers will continue to enthrall the increasing tribe of book lovers in the forthcoming editions as well."

Highlights of first two editions

Countries participated

Languages translated into

MoUs

Join us at CIBF and be part of a vibrant, global celebration of literature!