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NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 9:

BAPASI president Gandhi Kannadhasan addressing the media in Chennai yesterday.

The 30th Chennai Book Fair, an annual event of the Book Sellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPASI) is all set to begin from 10 January at a new venue - St. George's Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Poonamallee High Road, Shenoy Nagar.         Briefing reporters here yesterday about the fair, BAPASI president Gandhi Kannadhasan said, 'For the first time in the history of the Chennai Book Fair, it will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister (M Karunanidhi), who himself a successful writer and has more space for books in his heart.'         Asked about the new venue, he said, 'It was the appeal made by the visitors and our fellow booksellers that the old venue was good but lacks in parking facilities. The new venue has a good parking space where 1,500 cars and 7,500 two-wheelers can be parked at a time.'

        The book fair to be held in a sprawling area of around one lakh square feet, would have 474 stalls as against last year's 350.

        Also, to honour the Chief Minister, the organisers have setup a stall titled 'Kalaignar Arivukoodam', where his literary works would be displayed.

        Besides regular programmes, organisers have introduced screening of award-winning short films at the venue.

        The fair will be on till 21 January.