Key Highlights

• Big literary showcase: Over 700 bookstalls and more than 125 publishers are part of the festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront.
• Dates and timings: Open till November 1, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Kids at the centre: LEGO, puzzle and STEM workshops, plus a first-ever sculpture workshop using waste materials.
• Free passes for seniors: CM Bhupendra Patel launched a free-pass scheme for senior citizens in the AUDA area and flagged off two new AMTS routes.
• Budget push for libraries: Gujarat has allocated Rs 182 crore for education, libraries, culture and Gujarati, and Rs 100 crore for a ‘Namo Central Library’ in Gandhinagar.

The Sabarmati Riverfront has turned into a giant reading room. The ‘Ahmedabad International Book Festival 2026’ opened on Saturday with more than 700 bookstalls and over 125 publishers, offering events on reading, writing, science and creativity for children.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the festival, jointly organised by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the National Book Trust (NBT). He also opened the ‘CHHAAP Exhibition’, organised by the Union Ministry of Textiles. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu was among those present.

Visitor Guide at a Glance

From a National Fair to an International Festival

Patel recalled that PM Narendra Modi had launched the ‘Vanche Gujarat’ reading campaign as Gujarat Chief Minister. “Building on that initiative, the AMC organised the first National Book Fair at the Sabarmati Riverfront in 2012. The event has since expanded into an international festival, further establishing Ahmedabad’s cultural identity,” he said.

He linked the festival to PM Modi completing 25 years in public service, saying it would create opportunities to exchange knowledge, literature and culture.

Why It Matters: Building Readers Early

The festival’s strongest focus is on children. LEGO, puzzle and STEM workshops aim to encourage scientific thinking, along with an art and craft festival. For the first time, a sculpture workshop will teach children to create art from discarded materials and waste. An Innovation Wing will showcase ideas and products from startups and young entrepreneurs.

At a time when screens compete for young people’s attention, combining books with hands-on learning could help draw families who might otherwise skip a traditional book fair.

Funding for Libraries and Gujarati

Patel said the 2026-27 state Budget has allocated Rs 182 crore for education, library development, cultural activities and the promotion of Gujarati. Plans include libraries named after Bhagwan Birsa Munda in tribal areas and the modernisation of district and taluka-level libraries. A further Rs 100 crore has been set aside for an advanced ‘Namo Central Library’ in Gandhinagar.

A Book on a Freedom Fighter

The inauguration also saw the release of the Gujarati edition of ‘Sardar Teja Singh Samundri: Life and Legacy’, on the freedom fighter and pioneer of the Gurdwara Reform Movement.

Sandhu said, “Translation acted as a bridge between languages, allowing history and ideas to reach new audiences.” He also stressed the need to nurture reading habits among children in schools, colleges and libraries.

Heritage Meets Design at CHHAAP

The CHHAAP Exhibition features traditional artworks by more than 92 artisans from across India, reinterpreted by students of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).

Easier Travel for Senior Citizens

Patel also launched a free-pass scheme for senior citizens living in the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) area. He flagged off buses on two new AMTS routes, Thaltej-Shela and Vadaj-Palsana, along with an additional bus.

The Bottom Line

With sessions on Gujarati literature, poetry, ghazals and music running alongside workshops for children, the festival is positioning itself as more than a book sale. It is an attempt to make reading a family outing in Ahmedabad.