"He knew everything about literature except how to enjoy it." These words from famous author Joseph Heller make you contemplate if, really, all this time, you have been soaking up the inked reality off of the pages without really experiencing the bibliophilic nirvana that one is supposed to. Well, lucky for you, 21st-century India offers a myriad of festivals for every book lover to enjoy their shared love for literature with like-minded people. Here, we have rounded up the five most exciting upcoming literary festivals worth travelling for.
Hosted on the historic soil of Odisha, which was once known as the Kalinga kingdom, the Kalinga Literary Festival will mark its 11th year in 2025. Announced to take place for three days from March 23 to 25, this international literary festival has become a hub of literary and intellectual minds. Besides hosting 17 prestigious categories of awards to honour works from fiction, non-fiction, poetry, translation and children’s literature, the Kalinga Literary Festival has introduced a new category of awards from this year onwards, The Odia Book Awards, where authors who have made significant contribution to Odia literature are honoured.
The Kerala Literary Festival, recognised as Asia’s largest literary event, is preparing for its eighth annual edition in 2025. Scheduled to take place from January 23 to 26, the festival promises a rich blend of literature, culture, and the arts along the shores of Kozhikode, Kerala. As India’s first UNESCO City of Literature, Kozhikode brings excitement to bibliophiles each year with this grand celebration of literature. Around half a million gather each year to engage with Nobel laureates, acclaimed authors, and influential thought leaders while also enjoying captivating theatre and art performances. Read more about it here.
Founded in 2012, the Bangalore Literature Festival aims to connect the rich literary heritage of Bangalore with global aspirations. The festival has featured over 1,500 writers from across the nation, including notable figures such as Gulzar, Chandrashekara Kambara, Ashok Vajpeyi, Arun Shourie, Ian Jack, Shobhaa De, Ramachandra Guha, Perumal Murugan, Chetan Bhagat, and Amish Tripathi. The 13th edition of the festival is set to take place on December 14 and 15, 2024. The festival strongly emphasises fostering a love for reading and writing among the country's youth, encouraging them to embrace the joys of literature. It offers book enthusiasts the opportunity to share their stories and read the works of others while enjoying the pleasant winter sun in the Garden City of India.
Mark your calendars for the return of the 'greatest literary show on Earth'! The Jaipur Literature Festival is back for its 2025 edition, from February 30 to March 3. This festival, held in the Pink City, offers diverse literary entertainment and extravagant arrangements. It features discussion panels with internationally renowned figures and events where participants read books aloud. The Jaipur Literature Festival is a compact celebration where every bookworm can feel the joy of literature. With an atmosphere rich in books and intellectual engagement, the festival attracts millions of book lovers, bestselling authors, acclaimed historians, cultural leaders, and other notable figures at Hotel Clarks Amer in Jaipur. Read more about it here.
The Wayanad Literature Festival recognised as the first and largest literature festival held in a rural setting, has rapidly gained prominence within just a few years. Established in 2022, this festival has evolved into a vibrant hub where renowned writers, filmmakers, artists, and culturally influential figures worldwide come together to engage with literary enthusiasts from Wayanad and its surrounding areas. Notable speakers such as Arundhati Roy, John Keay, and Caroline Buckee have previously participated in the festival. To experience this remarkable event, be in Wayanad from December 27 to 29, 2024.