Festival director Rajesh Pande said the scale and enthusiasm reflected a clear shift in reading habits, especially among the youth. Addressing the media on Sunday, he noted that nearly 60% of visitors were under the age of 30.
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“The festival has outgrown its earlier identity. From being centred largely on Marathi literature, it has evolved into a national-level book mela showcasing publications from across India in multiple languages,” Pande said.
This year, more than 250 stalls were set up, featuring regional, national and independent publishers. Book sales rose sharply in line with the increased footfall. Over 30 lakh books were sold during the eight-day event, compared to about 25 lakh last year. The surge in sales contributed to the jump in turnover from over ₹40 crore in 2024 to more than ₹50 crore this year.
Between 400 and 500 new titles were launched during the festival. Several authors reportedly sold out two to three editions of their books within days. Organisers attributed this success to the strong presence of writers at stalls, allowing readers to interact directly and purchase signed copies.
While book sales remained a major attraction, literary sessions also gained unprecedented attention. Author interactions and panel discussions were packed, with audiences arriving well in advance to secure seats. More than 1,000 writers, poets and authors participated throughout the festival, many spending extended hours engaging with readers at their respective stalls.
Institutional participation also increased significantly. Public and private libraries from across Maharashtra placed bulk orders, with public libraries alone purchasing books worth over ₹10 lakh.
Students continued to play a key role in the festival’s functioning and programming. Over six days, 32 eminent speakers addressed audiences through lectures, panel discussions and literary conversations, drawing large student crowds.
The Children’s Corner saw further expansion this year. Around 400 schools participated, bringing more than 30,000 students to the venue. Workshops, competitions and interactive activities were organised to encourage reading beyond academic textbooks, and gifts were distributed to promote early reading habits.
The festival’s reach extended beyond national boundaries as well. Visitors from countries such as the United States and Dubai attended the event. As part of a non-commercial initiative, over one lakh free copies of Anandmath were distributed to readers.
Organisers also claimed that the festival achieved three world records during this edition, although specific details are yet to be officially announced. Encouraged by the overwhelming response, Pande confirmed that the next edition of the Pune Book Festival will be held from December 12 to 20, 2026, once again at the Fergusson College grounds.
“The scale we’ve witnessed this year shows that the festival is no longer just a city-level event. It has sparked a much larger reading movement,” he said.
Publishers echoed this sentiment. Sharad Tandale, founder and owner of New Era Publication House, described the response at their stall as extraordinary.
“I never imagined such enthusiasm,” Tandale said. “We sold more than 1,000 books every day and achieved a turnover of over ₹20 lakh in just eight days — entirely through our stall.”
He added that the benefits extended beyond the festival grounds. “We received several orders from outside Pune, and our online sales also increased. Compared to last year, our sales have doubled. The growing popularity of book festivals is clearly boosting readership, especially among young readers.”
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