Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival set for Sept 7-8

The third edition of the Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) is set to take place on Sept 7-8, in Kathmandu. The festival, set to feature over 300 writers from across South Asia, will be inaugurated by Tourism and Culture Minister, Badri Prasad Pandey.

This year’s festival is themed “Nepal: The Gateway to Asian Art, Culture, and Literature” and will celebrate Nepal’s rich cultural heritage and its connections to South Asia. Renowned figures such as writer Dr Abhi Subedi, diplomat and novelist Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, Indian economist and author Sanjeev Sanyal, and Nepal Academy Chancellor Bhupal Rai will be among the Guests of Honor, as per the organizers.

On the second day, British Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn, will serve as the Chief Guest, while the event will also feature prominent writers and poets from India, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.

Founding Member and Director of KLF-Kathmandu, Ranjana Niraula, expressed excitement about the festival, stating, “This edition will offer a lifetime experience for literature, music, art, and culture enthusiasts. It will also deepen the long-standing ties between Nepal and South Asia, as we explore emerging global cultures.”

In addition to panel discussions and keynote sessions, attendees can look forward to events highlighting literature, art, music, poetry, and storytelling. Notable sessions include topics like ‘Rethinking Development and Diplomacy in the Digital Age’, ‘The Role and Future of Literature in the Age of AI,’ and ‘Gorkha Identity: Opportunities and Blues’.

The festival, hosted at Hotel Himalaya in Kathmandu, will run across three halls and include over 60 sessions across two days.