The second edition of the Andaman Nicobar Book Fair has returned to Sri Vijaya Puram with an expanded schedule of literary, cultural and student-focused programmes, positioning the event as a key platform for reading culture and creative engagement in the islands.
Organised by the Art and Culture Department of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration in association with the National Book Trust, New Delhi, the nine-day fair is being held at the ITF Ground from February 14 to February 22, 2026. The event features over 40 stalls and participation from more than 35 publishers, offering a wide selection of books across genres and age groups.
Officials said the fair is designed to cater to diverse audiences, including children, students, educators, and general readers, while also creating space for literary interaction and cultural expression. Morning sessions during the fair have been dedicated to student-oriented activities organised by the National Book Trust, while evenings are reserved for literary discussions and cultural performances.
As part of the ongoing fair, a special literary evening dedicated to poetry, titled ‘Kavya Sandhya’, is scheduled to be held on February 20, inviting local poets to present their work in any language. The programme is intended to provide a platform for island-based writers to engage directly with audiences and showcase creative expression rooted in local experiences.
The fair schedule also includes an open storytelling competition on February 21, divided into two age groups, 8 to 13 years and 14 to 18 years, aimed at encouraging school and college students to develop narrative and public speaking skills. Organisers said the competition is open to all eligible students across the islands.
In addition to literary activities, the fair places strong emphasis on cultural performances, with programmes lined up throughout the event period. These include folk and classical dance performances, patriotic and folk music presentations, martial arts displays, and performances by cultural groups from different regions, including visiting artists.
Daily evening programmes have been structured to combine cultural performances with public engagement initiatives. These include performances by police bands, cultural academies, music associations, and college students, alongside legal awareness sessions conducted by the District Legal Services Authority on select days.
The fair also features multiple interactive sessions curated by the National Book Trust, bringing together writers, journalists, filmmakers and researchers for discussions on literature, history, political ideas, filmmaking and storytelling. These sessions aim to broaden intellectual engagement and expose island audiences to contemporary debates and creative perspectives.
Officials associated with the event said the fair is intended not only as a marketplace for books but also as a community space where literature, culture and dialogue intersect. The inclusion of local artists and student participants has been positioned as central to the fair’s objective of nurturing creative talent within the islands.
Participation for scheduled programmes is open, and interested individuals have been invited to register with the Art and Culture Department for various competitive and performance-based events. The fair remains open to the public throughout its duration, with evening programmes drawing steady attendance since the opening days.
The Andaman Nicobar Book Fair has gradually evolved into a recurring cultural fixture, with the second edition reflecting efforts to expand its scope beyond book sales to include wider literary and cultural engagement. Officials indicated that such initiatives are part of a broader strategy to strengthen cultural infrastructure and promote reading habits across age groups in the Union Territory.
With several days of programming still remaining, organisers expect continued footfall from students, families and literary enthusiasts, reinforcing the fair’s role as a major cultural event in the island calendar.
