From bioscope shows to selfie hotspots, your adventure map to the Kolkata boimela

If you think the Kolkata Book Fair is only about buying or browsing books, this year’s edition will change your mind. The book fair, on till February 3, can literally be a full-day adventure that’s a mix of Bengalicinema, global literature, and treasure hunts for rare editions, vinyls, and more. There are the Insta-worthy spots round every corner, and the food options deserve independent exploration. As the boimela enters its last weekend, here’s what it has to offer to even those who aren’t that much into books. Read on...Your boimela activity list experienceWalk through the interactive UttamKumar cinema exhibitionWatch the bioscope show & get a vintage portrait clickedExplore Argentine culture at the pavilionDiscoverBrowse foreign language stallsHunt rare editionsCaptureSnap the vintage theatre facadeClick pavilion murals & installationsPose with film cut-outsIndulgeRolls, fish fry, biryani, street food & sweetsTravel SmartShip books using the India Post stallStep into history of Bengali cinemaStart your boimela journey at the Interactive Uttam Kumar Centenary stall – one of the most engaging attractions this year. A vintage theatre-style facade with black-and-white posters of Nayak, Jhinder Bandi and Dhanni Meye leads visitors past a mock ticket counter into a walk-through museum of Bengali cinema featuring rare treasures like the mustard suit from Nayak, props from Shatranj Ke Khiladi and Hirak Rajar Deshe, vintage photographs, press invites, postcards and a rare 1931 silent film booklet, Aparadh. Visitors can enjoy an old-school bioscope show, get instant portraits at the box-camera corner, pose with life-size Uttam Kumar cut-outs and shop for souvenirs. “I had only heard stories about bioscopes from my grandparents, but actually seeing those moving pictures through the lens was magical,” said Rohit Sen, a visitor.Click, snack, repeatThe boimela invites visitors to slow down and soak in its visual magic, where colourful pavilion graffiti, hand-painted murals, glowing themed stalls and heritage-style installations turn every walkway into a photo zone. Come evening, and the fair feels like a giant open-air gallery – fairy lights and illuminated stalls transform the grounds into a glowing carnival. “It’s impossible to come here and not keep clicking pictures; every corner looks like a postcard,” said student Riya Mukherjee. There’s also the option to refuel with fish fry, rolls, phuchka, momos, biryani and sweets. “Honestly, half the fun of boimela is eating your way through it between photo breaks,” said student Ankita Das with a smile.Travel the world, then go book huntingAt the Argentina theme pavilion, literature meets culture through immersive displays, film screenings and lively visuals. Alongside books by Borges and Cortázar, visitors can catch iconic football moments of Maradona and Messi, making it one of the fair’s liveliest spaces. From there, wander into the Foreign Zone stalls for international titles and translations before diving into the heart of Bengali publishing at Patra Bharati, Dey’s Publishing and Mitra & Ghosh, where classics, new releases and heavy discounts keep pulling crowds all day. “I’m here mostly for the Satyajit Ray books; the variety here is unmatched,” said Adrija Choudhury, a student. Dr Archana Singh, a professor at PG Hospital, added, “We wait all year for books you can’t find anywhere else.” I spotted the Hindusthan Music Publishing’s stall, where vinyl records of timeless classics are on display. I even found some rare early recordings of Tagore and some amazing Sachin Dev Burman hits– Sourav Mukherjee, a teacherI was really excited when I saw Sulekha fountain pens. I’ve heard so many stories about them from my parents. Buying one felt like owning a little piece of their childhood. The comic book stalls are also impossible to walk past – Anirban Chatterjee, studentOne of the most interesting things I spotted was the India Post stall. I didn’t even know you could ship your books straight from boimela to any part of the world– Bidisha Sarkar, a student