AP CM invited to prestigious Vijayawada Book Exhibition 2026

The Vijayawada Book Festival Society has extended a formal invitation to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to participate in the 36th Vijayawada Book Exhibition, a cornerstone event in South India’s literary calendar. Scheduled for January 2 to January 7, 2026, this annual gathering is anticipated to attract a diverse audience, including publishers, printers, and book enthusiasts from across the region.

The invitation was ceremonially presented during a courtesy visit to the Chief Minister’s office, where society representatives, including President T. Manohar Naidu and AP Printers and Publishers Association President Katragadda Mohan, offered books and potted plants as tokens of goodwill. Photographs from the meeting highlight a cordial interaction between the CM and the delegation.

Chief Minister Naidu praised the society’s dedication to promoting reading and knowledge dissemination, a cause he has championed throughout his political career. His involvement in literary initiatives dates back to his tenure, including his attendance at the 29th edition of the exhibition in 2017, which was notably inaugurated by then-Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu. This reflects his broader vision for an educated and informed society, consistent with the activities of the NTR Memorial Trust, a non-profit he founded in 1997 to support education and community welfare.

Background of the Vijayawada Book Exhibition

The Vijayawada Book Exhibition, organized annually by the Vijayawada Book Festival Society, traces its roots to a rich tradition of literary promotion in Andhra Pradesh. Established decades ago, the event has grown into one of South India’s most respected book fairs, drawing parallels with iconic fairs like Kolkata’s Boi Mela, India’s oldest book fair. The exhibition began as a modest initiative to encourage reading among locals and has since evolved into a significant cultural and intellectual hub.

Historically, the fair has been held at prominent venues such as the Vemuri Anil Kumar Swathi Sahitya Vedika, near the Civil Court in Vijayawada. A notable milestone came in November 2024, when the exhibition was part of the National Library Week celebrations, inaugurated with a call to inspire children to read, as reported by The Hindu . That edition featured discounts of up to 10% on books and attracted public figures like Avanigadda MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad, underscoring its growing prominence.

The 36th edition, slated for 2026, will continue this legacy by showcasing an extensive range of publications in Telugu and English, covering topics from education and technology to religion, yoga, and medicine. Organizers anticipate a robust turnout, building on the fair’s reputation for fostering literary exchange and supporting the publishing industry in South India.This invitation marks another chapter in the exhibition’s history of engaging with state leadership, reinforcing its role as a vital platform for cultural enrichment in Andhra Pradesh.