Source : Indian Express
Every year several literary fests take place in and around India. If you love the book reading sessions and an encounter with your favourite author, then this list will help you decide which fest to attend.
It’s that time of the year again when book lovers are busy marking dates on the calendar. While you might be saving your dates in January for the Jaipur Literary Festival, there are also other festivals in and around the country that have a lot to offer. In case you are confused, here’s a list you can fall back upon and plan accordingly. From India to its neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, it’s a treat for bibliophiles.
Jaipur Literary Festival
Hailed as world’s largest free event of its kind, Jaipur Literary Festival (JLF) started in 2006 and has only grown in scale with each year. Every year, several celebrated and acclaimed authors, like Salman Rushdie, Ian McEwan, Orhan Pamuk among others grace the event with their presence. The Diggi Palace Hotel in Jaipur serves as the main venue for the festival, while parallel sessions are also held in the Hall of Audience. The event is scheduled to take place from January 24 and will continue till January 29 next year.
Kolkata Literary Festival
Held in the historic premise of Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata Literary Festival takes place during January every year. It started in the year 2014 and since then has housed several celebrated authors and actors. It will take place from January 22 till January 27 nexy year and authors like Anita Desai, and Paul Beatty will grace the event.
Hyderabad Literary Festival
Hyderabad literary festival (HLF) is a three-day event that has emerged as one of the most important cultural events in the city. Each year the event has a guest nation and focuses on an Indian language. The three-day event is replete with discussions with authors workshops and cultural events. It will take place from January 12 till January 14 early next year.
Tata literature live-Mumbai Literary Festival
Into their 8th edition this year, Mumbai Literary fest includes an impressive list of conversations, panel discussions, performances, book launches, workshops and debates. Like every year, a terrific array of writers are lined up. This year it will take place from November 16 till November 19. This year authors like Shashi Tharoor, Girish Karnad among others will be present at the festival.
Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival
Considered as India’s only literary festival that is created by a bookstore, Appejay Kolkata Literary Festival encapsulates the the vibrancy and cultural eclecticism that Kolkata is known for. The event unfolds in several heritage sites in the city and in Oxford Bookstore. It takes place during January every year.
Goa Arts and Literature Festival
Started in 2010, Goa Arts and Literature Festival (GALF) was founded with the objective to withheld and celebrate the ‘margins’. This has led to focusing on literature from states like North-East and Kashmir, and also from neighbouring countries like Pakistan and Nepal. This year it will take place from December 8 till December 10. Speakers list includes Supriya Nair, Wendell Rodricks among others.
Jashn e Rekhta
The three-day literary event celebrates the beauty and versatility of Urdu. The event takes place in the capital and unfolds with discussions and competitions among fellow poets. This year it will take place from December 8 till December 10.
Kerala literary festival
The four-day literary festival is an annual event that is held in Kozhikode, Kerala. It started in 2016 and includes debates, discussions and even cookery shows. It will be held from February 8 till February 11 next year.
Bookaroo Children’s Literature Festival
Considered as the first literary festival for children, Bookaro children’s literary festival enters its tenth edition this year. Over 60 award-winning writers, poets, illustrators and storytellers from 18 countires will assemble at Children’s Park near India Gate and delight the young bookworms. This year it will take place from November 25 to November 26.
Karachi Literary Festival
The Karachi Literary Festival started in the year 2010 and is an open to all event. It features discussions, book launches, film screenings, book reading sessions. In 2017 it was held in London, a first of kind location outside Pakistan. The event will take place from February 9 to February 11 in Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi.
Dhaka literary festival
The Dhaka Literary Festival will mark its seventh edition this year and will be held in Bangla Academy. This year the list of speakers include Adonis, Ben Okri, Tilda Swinton, Lionel Shriver, Nabaneeta Dev Sen, William Dalrymple, Esther Freud, Charles Glass, Syed Manzoorul Islam among others. It will take place from November 16 and will end on November 18.
Galle Literary Festival
An international literary festival, Galle Lit Fest is held in Sri Lanka every year. The festival has only increased in scale with every year. It was founded in 2005 by Anglo-Australian hotelier Geoffrey Dobbs, and is scheduled to take place from January 24 till January 28 next year. List of speakers include Amit Chaudhari, French author Maylis De Kerangal among others.
