The Jaipur Literature Festival, celebrated as the ‘greatest literary show on earth’, returns for its 18th edition from 30 January to 3 February, 2025, at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur. Teamwork Arts, the festival’s producer, has unveiled the first lineup of sessions for 2025, reaffirming the transformative power of books and ideas.
As a vital platform for local and global voices, the festival aims to foster dialogue, bridge divides, and highlight diverse perspectives. The upcoming edition will feature a curated program with over 300 distinguished speakers, offering engaging debates, thought-provoking discussions, and captivating stories.
Here are the announced sessions:
1. Poor Economics for the Young: Nobel laureate Esther Duflo and illustrator Cheyenne Olivier discuss their book, simplifying economic concepts for young readers to foster empathy and social awareness.
2. Hamara Shahar Us Baras: Geetanjali Shree, with Daisy Rockwell, reflects on communalism and societal divisions in her novel “Our City That Year.”
3. David Hare: A Life in Theatre and Film: David Hare shares insights from his iconic career in theatre and film.
4. Nehru’s First Recruits: Kallol Bhattacharjee, alongside diplomats like TCA Raghavan and Navtej Sarna, explores India’s early foreign policy under Nehru.
5. André Aciman: A Journey Through Love and Memory: André Aciman discusses his exploration of memory, identity, and emotion with novelist Shivani Sibal.
6. Kairos: The Heart Divided: Jenny Erpenbeck and Michael Hofmann discuss themes of love and political upheaval in East Berlin during the 1980s.
7. The Personal Is Political: An Activist’s Memoir: Aruna Roy reflects on her activism, including her role in India’s Right to Information Act.
8. Why We Die: Nobel laureate Venki Ramakrishnan delves into the science of aging and the pursuit of immortality.
9. The Upside-Down World: Benjamin Moser reflects on Dutch artistry and his journey through the Netherlands’ artistic legacy.
10. Amol Palekar: The Viewfinder: Amol Palekar discusses his journey in Indian cinema and storytelling with filmmaker Sandhya Gokhale.
11. Two Sages: Gandhi and Tolstoy: Gopalkrishna Gandhi and Daniil Tolstoy explore the intellectual legacies of Gandhi and Tolstoy.
12. Deep Water: The World in the Ocean: James Bradley and experts discuss the environmental importance of oceans and humanity’s connection to them.
13. Openings: Thirteen Stories: Namita Gokhale and Lucy Caldwell explore the dynamics of short stories versus long-form epics.
Sanjoy K Roy, Managing Director, Teamwork Arts said, “The Jaipur Literature Festival continues to be a beacon of dialogue and storytelling, showcasing the profound impact of literature on understanding and empathy. Each edition reaffirms its role as a vibrant platform where ideas and voices come together to foster a shared sense of humanity.”
The 2025 Jaipur Literature Festival will feature signature segments like ‘Jaipur BookMark’ (JBM), South Asia’s premier B2B publishing platform; the ‘Jaipur Music Stage’ with performances by global artists; ‘Heritage Evenings’ at iconic Jaipur sites; and the ‘Festival Buzzaar’ showcasing artisanal products. The ‘Festival Bookshop’ will stock works by participating authors, and the exclusive ‘Friend of the Festival’ package offers a premium experience. The festival remains a beacon of intellectual exchange, championing freedom of expression, creativity, and diversity.
