This is the 46th Chennai Book Fair, and for the first time in 46 years, we are hosting an international book fair in Chennai,” Mr. Stalin said.

A total of 365 books have been confirmed for translation by signing Memorandums of Understanding at the valedictory function of the Chennai International Book Fair on Wednesday.

18 MoUs between foreign publishers and their Tamil counterparts were signed by the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. He handed over the Tamil translations of five medical books to medical students upon their release.

Ninety Tamil books would be translated into international languages, 60 from Tamil to other Indian languages, 170 from international and Indian languages into Tamil, and 45 from Indian languages, excluding Tamil, into international languages.

“This is the 46th Chennai Book Fair and for the first time in 46 years, we are hosting an international book fair in Chennai which has been the dream of pioneers in the field who have wished to bring global knowledge in Tamil for the Tamil people,” Mr. Stalin said.

He also proudly declared that translating Periyar’s work into 21 languages, Indian and international, had begun.

A publisher Hasri Hasan from Malaysia said that he was extremely grateful for the opportunity to interact with fellow publishers and learn more about Tamil literature and writers through the book fair. “This MoU is one of the first steps we are taking to bring Tamil authors and their work to a global audience,” said Gnanaprakasam of Aazhi Publishing House, who signed an MoU with Turkey.

Many Indian and foreign publishers appreciated the State government’s efforts and said that this fair was one of the best international fairs they have attended recently. The public was not allowed to visit the stalls in the international fair during the ceremony and also after as many stalls had begun closing for the day.