While the Russia-Ukraine war enters its 1,433rd day with no signs of truce in the northern part of the world, several thousand kilometres away in Kolkata, a book fair hosts a cold, literary war of its own. At the ongoing 49th Kolkata International Book Fair, warring nations Russia and Ukraine are neighbours, with their close proximity making the tension even more palpable. ADVERTISEMENTWhile the Russian stall, F-13, takes a superior stand as a nation preserving its heritage and literature through displays, Ukraine, stall no. “Ukrainian culture, language, literature are witnessing a boom,” says Lyubko Deresh, an author and creative writing mentor representing the country at 49th International Kolkata Book Fair. Russia has been a regular at the Kolkata International Book Fair for the last seven years because Russian published books have dwindled in the book market.

Source: The Telegraph January 27, 2026 06:46 UTC