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The 17th edition of the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival (AKLF) is set to return in 2026 with an impressive and thoughtfully curated line-up, promising an intellectually stimulating and culturally rich experience for literature lovers. Known as one of India’s most prestigious literary gatherings, the festival once again reaffirms Kolkata’s legacy as a city deeply rooted in ideas, debate, and the written word.
This year’s edition is designed to be bold, inclusive, and deeply engaging, bringing together celebrated authors, poets, thinkers, and young voices from across the country and beyond. With conversations that span literature, history, poetry, culture, and contemporary thought, the 2026 festival aims to spark dialogue while celebrating the diversity of storytelling traditions.
A major highlight of the festival will be its grand conclusion at The Park, Kolkata, marked by the city launch of Dr. Shashi Tharoor’s latest book, The Sage Who Reimagined Hinduism. The book explores the philosophical and historical ideas that reshaped Hindu thought, and its launch is expected to draw wide interest from readers, scholars, and cultural commentators alike. Dr. Tharoor’s presence adds significant intellectual weight to the festival and underscores AKLF’s commitment to meaningful discourse.
Adding a vibrant layer to the festival’s programming is the Oxford Junior Literary Festival (OJLF), hosted at Oxford Bookstore, Kolkata, with select events at the historic Alipore Museum. Designed to nurture young readers and creative minds, OJLF offers a dynamic mix of storytelling, interactive sessions, and discussions that make literature accessible and exciting for children and young adults.
Renowned authors and storytellers such as Himanjali Sankar, Hemangini Dutt Majumder, and Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan will lead engaging sessions that encourage imagination and curiosity. These will be complemented by interactive conversations with acclaimed writers Anita Nair, Savie Karnel, and Jael Silliman, creating spaces where young readers can directly connect with authors and explore the joy of reading and writing.
Poetry takes center stage through the much-anticipated Poetry Café, presented in collaboration with Alliance Française du Bengale. Set against the evocative and historically rich backdrop of the Alipore Museum in Ward No. 5, the Poetry Café promises an immersive experience that blends verse, memory, and place. The sessions will bring together both established and emerging poetic voices, offering a platform for multilingual and multi-generational expression.
Noted poets such as Bashabi Fraser, Saheba Singh, and Anjana Basu will be among the prominent participants, alongside a special tribute to Rahim’s timeless Dohas, led by Chandan Sinha. This tribute aims to reconnect audiences with classical wisdom while exploring its relevance in contemporary times.
The Poetry Café will also feature a diverse group of voices including Ramanjit Kaur, Baisali Chatterjee Dutt, Arundhati Ghosh, Sufia Khatoon, Debasish Lahiri, and Vinay Sharma. Together, they will ensure a rich tapestry of themes, languages, and perspectives, reflecting the festival’s inclusive spirit and its celebration of poetic traditions from across regions and generations.
Beyond individual sessions, the 17th Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival is envisioned as a meeting ground for ideas—where literature intersects with society, history, and personal experience. The festival continues to uphold its reputation for thoughtful programming, landmark tributes, and meaningful conversations that resonate long after the final session concludes.
With its exceptional line-up of speakers, vibrant youth-focused initiatives, and carefully curated poetry and prose sessions, the 2026 edition promises to be both thought-provoking and deeply rooted in Kolkata’s cultural ethos. As the festival grows in scale and influence, it further cements its place as a cornerstone of the city’s annual cultural calendar, reaffirming Kolkata’s enduring status as India’s literary capital.
For readers, writers, students, and culture enthusiasts alike, the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival 2026 is poised to be an unmissable celebration of words, ideas, and imagination.
