CHENNAI: The 3-day Chennai International Book Fair (CIBF) concluded on Sunday with more than 1,830 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) executed with 102 countries.

Of these, 1,273 MoUs were for translations from Tamil into other languages, 260 MoUs for translations from other languages into Tamil, and 297 MoUs between other languages.

In 2023, CIBF had participation from 24 countries and had signed 365 MoUs. The following year, 40 countries participated and 752 MoUs were signed. Last year, 64 countries participated and 1,354 MoUs were signed.

This year, around 260 books by nearly 135 Tamil authors are being translated into more than 30 languages. CIBF, which presents the cultural identity of Tamil Nadu on the global stage, has been conducted successfully for four consecutive years, said a press communique.

At the valedictory function of the fourth edition of CIBF, Chief Minister MK Stalin released 84 books published through the Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation and the Department of Public Libraries. Of these, 44 books of (TNTB & ESC) and 40 books of the Department of Public Libraries — translated through the Tamil Nadu Translation grant, had been released by the CM.

“To take the uniqueness and excellence of Tamil language to the global level, the State government has been providing a translation grant of Rs 3 crore every year,” said the Chief Minister during the valedictory event.

The press note further stated that CIBF has functioned as an important B2B (Business to Business) rights trading platform for state-level and international publishers. The publications wing of the TNTB & ESC has, over the past eight years, published more than 100 of the finest Tamil literary works in English. These works have been placed for public viewing this year.

Also, this year, stalls of 20 Tamil publishers, including the TN government’s Chennai Book Park, were featured at the book fair, facilitating college students and the general public to purchase books. Additionally, more than 150 publishing professionals from over 100 countries participated and exchanged views on current trends and future opportunities in the global publishing industry. A total of 17 seminars/panel discussions were held.

Notably, this year, college students and the general public participated in large numbers in these seminars for the first time.