Pawan Kalyan, the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, launched the 35th Vijayawada Book Festival on January 2, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium. The festival, organized by the Vijayawada Book Festival Society (VBFS), will run from January 2 to 12 and features 271 stalls with publishers from across India.
Key Highlights
- The festival was inaugurated at 6 pm, with Finance Minister Payyavula Kesav and Sahitya Akademi Secretary K Srinivasarao also in attendance2
- Pawan Kalyan launched the biography of former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao, presenting the first copy to Payyavula Kesav.
Pawan Kalyan’s Personal Connection to Books
During the inauguration, Kalyan shared insights about his reading habits and education. He revealed that he discontinued formal education after intermediate, inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s approach to learning3. Kalyan emphasized his deep love for books, stating, “Without the habit of reading, I don’t know what I would have become”. Festival Features
- 271 stalls from publishers across India
- Cultural programmes and literary discussions
- Special events including:
- National Poets’ Conference on January 3
- Book Lovers’ Walk on January 6
- Various student activities like elocution, storytelling, and origami
- Expected to attract over 10 lakh visitors2
The festival venues are named after notable literary figures, including Pidikiti Rama Koteswara Rao and Cherukuri Ramoji Rao, adding a cultural significance to the event.
