CHENNAI: The fourth edition of the Chennai International Book Fair (CIBF) 2026, an initiative of the State government to strengthen global knowledge exchange and cultural dialogue, was inaugurated by School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on Friday at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai.
MP and poet Kanimozhi and Karnataka Minister for School Education and Literacy S Madhu Bangarappa attended the inaugural ceremony.
In his address, Minister Poyyamozhi said that there has been steady rise in international participation. “While 24 countries took part in CIBF 2023, it rose to 40 in 2024 and 64 in 2025. This year, 102 countries are participating in the three-day event,” he added. “The festival has evolved into a platform for equitable and meaningful dialogue among diverse literary traditions from across the world.”
Over the past few years, works by more than 200 Indian authors have been published in over 50 international languages, of which 90 authors are from Tamil Nadu. “This is a matter of pride for the State,” he stated. “Under the Translation Grant Scheme instituted by CM Stalin, 200 translation grants are awarded annually to promote the global reach of Indian and Tamil literature.”
In his special address, Karnataka Minister Bangarappa emphasised the need for South Indian cultures to remain closely integrated. “A similar international book fair will be organised in Karnataka in the near future,” he announced.
Delivering the keynote address, Kanimozhi recalled her experiences at international book fairs abroad, where Tamil literature once had limited representation. “A new phase has now begun with Tamil literature poised to travel across the world. Such initiatives help bridge differences among people and promote cultural harmony,” she added. “More than 1,000 MoUs have been signed under the initiative, which reflects the growing global interest in Tamil and Indian literary works.”