Pune, December 23: The Pune Book Festival 2024 has concluded on a grand note, marking a historic achievement in the literary world. Held from December 14 to 22 at Fergusson College grounds, the nine-day event attracted over 10 lakh visitors, achieved record-breaking book sales of ₹40 crore, and shattered China’s six-year world record for the largest online album of book cover photos.
Organized by the National Book Trust (NBT), the festival showcased over 600 bookstores, more than doubling last year’s 250 stalls. The organizers reported sales of over 25 lakh copies of books, a fourfold increase from last year’s ₹11 crore turnover.
World Record Broken
The festival’s most notable achievement was surpassing China’s record for the largest online album of book cover photos. Previously held at 3,16,828 images, the Pune Book Festival proudly etched India’s name in the Guinness World Records, a moment of immense pride for the country and the city of Pune.
Celebrating Literature, Culture, and Art
The festival was more than just a marketplace for books. It hosted a variety of activities, including:
- Literary and Cultural Events: Renowned authors, poets, and cultural figures graced the stage.
- Children’s Film Festival: Engaging films and activities designed for young readers.
- Workshops and Competitions: Interactive sessions with writers and fun contests for visitors.
- New Book Releases: Over 100 books were launched during the event.
The inaugural Pune Lit Fest also debuted this year, further enriching the festival’s appeal.
Dignitaries at the Festival
The event was graced by prominent personalities, including:
- Chandrakant Patil, State Minister of Higher and Technical Education
- Dr. Suresh Gosavi, Vice-Chancellor of Savitribai Phule Pune University
- Yuvraj Malik, Director of NBT
- Rajesh Pandey, Chief Organizer of the Festival
Other attendees included Guinness World Records officials Milind Verlekar and Krishi Nath, and several literary and cultural figures.
Massive Public Response
Speaking at the concluding ceremony, Rajesh Pandey stated, “This year’s Pune Book Festival has been historic in many ways. With over 10 lakh readers attending, more than a thousand writers participating, and four world records broken, we have set a new benchmark for literary festivals in India.”
The people of Pune showed tremendous enthusiasm, flocking to the festival in record numbers and making it a celebration of literature, culture, and intellectual growth.
