Pune: The Pune Book Festival 2024, organized by the National Book Trust at Fergusson College Grounds, concluded on Sunday, December 22, with record-breaking achievements. The nine-day festival saw over 25 lakh books sold, generating Rs. 40 crore in revenue—a fourfold increase compared to last year.
This year’s festival featured over 600 stalls, a significant rise from the 250 stalls in 2023, which had generated Rs. 11 crore in revenue. The event was enriched with a range of literary and cultural activities, including a children’s film festival, competitions, workshops, and over 25 cultural programs. Esteemed personalities from various fields attended the festival, which was met with an enthusiastic response from the public.
According to festival organizer Rajesh Pandey, “Around 10 lakh people visited the festival, and over 1,000 authors participated. The event marked the achievement of four world records related to books. Over 100 books were released during the festival, and the first-ever ‘Pune Lit Fest’ attracted several renowned figures. This year’s book sales amounted to Rs. 40 crore, reflecting the festival’s growing influence.”
Highlighting the participation of young readers, Pandey stated, “The idea that young people don’t read is a misconception. Their enthusiastic involvement in the festival, particularly in purchasing books, has proven otherwise. The event has now become a statewide attraction, drawing visitors from across Maharashtra.”
Pandey emphasized the collective effort behind the festival’s success and expressed a vision for its future. “The Pune Book Festival has evolved into more than an event; it’s becoming a movement. With the support of Savitribai Phule Pune University, the ‘Author-Reader Dialogue’ initiative will now be expanded on a larger scale,” he said.
