The 18 edition of the Kochi International Book Festival began at the Ernakulathappan Grounds here on Saturday evening.

Readers flocked to the venue of the annual festival soon after the inauguration. The festival was inaugurated by Minister for Culture K.C. Joseph and writer Sethu, who is also the chairman of the National Book Trust.

About 240 publishers are taking part in the exhibition, organised by the Antharashtra Pusthakotsava Samithi.

The fete, which began with a dance programme soon after the inauguration, will include several book releases, children’s competitions, talks and discussions by writers, and cultural programmes. Jnanpith Award winners Kedarnath Singh and M.T. Vasudevan Nair are among the few writers scheduled to speak at the festival in the coming days.

Bestselling books, classic titles, children’s literature, and works of writers from all over the world are on display at the fete.

The festival concludes on December 8.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Staff Reporter / Kochi – November 30th, 2014