CIBF 2026 A Conversation Between Civilisations

Dr. B. Chandra Mohan, IAS, serves as Additional Chief Secretary for School Education in Tamil Nadu. As Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Chennai International Book Fair 2026, he has been instrumental in transforming it into a “Conversation Between Civilisations.” with participation from more than a 100 countries. He has curated the literary panels with meticulousness and has nurtured the state’s infrastructure for translation, rights exchange, and cross-cultural dialogue.

Chennai International Book Fair 2026 is all set to be held at Kalaivanar Arangam, Chennai from January 16–18, 2026. Here, Dr. B. Chandra Mohan, IAS, School Education Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu and Chairman, Organising Committee – Chennai International Book Fair 2026, shares what to expectat the fair.

AABP: CIBF’s vision has often been described as “Taking Tamil to the world and the world to Tamil.” How does this vision find expression in CIBF 2026?

Dr. B. Chandra Mohan: CIBF 2026 marks a decisive shift. For the first time, participants from more than 100 countries are taking part in the Fair, transforming Chennai into a truly global meeting point for publishing. This is why we have framed this edition around the theme “A Conversation Between Civilisations.” The Fair is no longer about cultural outreach alone; it is about equal, confident dialogue between literary traditions.

AABP: How is this idea of a civilisational conversation reflected in the Fair’s intellectual programming?

Dr. B. Chandra Mohan: Our panels are designed as conversations that cut across time, geography, and power. Sessions such as “The Language Tree: Puzzle or Proof?” explore shared linguistic histories, while “The Tamil Lens: Window or Mirror?” examines how Tamil both absorbs and reshapes world literature. These discussions anchor the Fair in ideas, not just transactions.

AABP: CIBF is also emerging as a serious rights-focused platform. How do you balance commerce and culture?

Dr. B. Chandra Mohan: We ensure that rights discussions are rooted in ethics and context. Panels like “The Translator: Traitor or Architect?” and “The Invisible Hand: Author’s Voice or Translator’s Choice?” directly engage with the politics of translation and authorship. When commerce is guided by such reflection, rights deals become enduring partnerships rather than mere transactions.

AABP: With more than 100 countries participating for the first time, what excites you most about this edition?

Dr. B. Chandra Mohan: What excites me is purpose. Many of these new participants are coming to collaborate, not just observe. Panels such as “Writing the World from South Asia” and “The Tamil Voice: Echo or Explosion?” show that global publishers are now listening closely to South Indian and Tamil literary voices. That attention marks a real shift in the global literary map.

AABP: The Frankfurt Book Fair is the Guest of Honour this year. What does this partnership signify for CIBF?

Dr. B. Chandra Mohan: It signifies recognition. Our collaboration with Frankfurt Book Fair has evolved since 2022, and having them as Guest of Honour reflects Chennai’s growing stature. Panels like “The Bestseller: Masterpiece, Merchandise or Myth?”, featuring leaders from Frankfurt and Bologna, place global market thinking in direct conversation with Indian publishing realities.

AABP: What concrete outcomes have emerged from previous editions of CIBF?

Dr. B. Chandra Mohan: The outcomes are measurable and meaningful. More than 200 Indian authors have been published in over 50 international languages, with 90 authors from Tamil Nadu alone. These results demonstrate how sustained institutional support can translate cultural confidence into global presence.

CIBF 2026 marks a decisive shift. For the first time, participants from more than 100 countries are taking part in the Fair, transforming Chennai into a truly global meeting point for publishing. This is why we have framed this edition around the theme “A Conversation Between Civilisations.” The Fair is no longer about cultural outreach alone; it is about equal, confident dialogue between literary traditions.

AABP: Could you tell us about the CIBF Rights Hub 2026?

Dr. B. Chandra Mohan: The Rights Hub is the Fair’s professional core. It is a structured marketplace where publishers, agents, and translators engage with clarity and intent. Panels like “Does Harry Potter Need a Visa?” complement this space by addressing policy, taxation, and the free movement of ideas—issues that directly affect rights and circulation.

AABP: How does the Tamil Nadu Translation Grant strengthen the Fair’s global ambitions?

Dr. B. Chandra Mohan: Translation is the foundation of literary exchange. Tamil Nadu supports over 200 translation grants annually, each worth USD 2,500, enabling Tamil literature to travel globally while bringing world literature into Tamil. Panels such as “The Tamil Lens” and “The Invisible Hand” deepen this ecosystem by critically examining how translation reshapes voice and authority.

AABP: Children’s publishing and technology have dedicated spaces this year. Why this emphasis?

Dr. B. Chandra Mohan: Because the future of reading is being negotiated now. Sessions like “The 8-Second War: Story vs Swipe” and “AI: Aladdin’s Lamp or the Trojan Horse?” confront attention, technology, and creativity head-on. Publishing must respond thoughtfully to these shifts if it is to remain culturally relevant.

AABP: How do you assess CIBF’s growth from its first edition to its fourth?

Dr. B. Chandra Mohan: We measure success by depth—repeat international participation, quality of discourse, and rights outcomes. Each edition has refined our focus. CIBF today is sharper, more purposeful, and more global than when it began.

AABP: How does the Book Fair align with Tamil Nadu’s broader educational and cultural vision?

Dr. B. Chandra Mohan: CIBF reflects our belief that reading underpins democracy and social justice. Panels such as “Her Voice: Whisper or Shout?” and “Listen to the Flames: When Suppressed Voices Ignite Literature” echo Tamil Nadu’s commitment to plurality, inclusion, and intellectual freedom.

AABP: Your message to global publishers and readers?

Dr. B. Chandra Mohan: Come prepared to listen—and to rethink. With more than 100 countries participating for the first time, CIBF 2026 is not just an event; it is a moment. The conversations that begin in Chennai this January will shape publishing far beyond these three days.