The Nalanda Literature Festival (Nalanda LittFest) has announced the launch of Nalanda Literature Dialogues 2026–27, a year-long, multi-city cultural initiative that will serve as the festival’s continuous engagement platform. The announcement was made at a press conference in New Delhi, where the organisers also confirmed that the next edition of the festival will be held from 17–20 October 2027.
Inspired by the legacy of Nalanda University as a historic centre of learning and knowledge exchange, the initiative aims to create sustained conversations across literature, heritage, culture, philosophy, public policy, science, technology and the arts, both in India and internationally.
The announcement was made in the presence of Dr. Sonal Mansingh, Chairperson, Nalanda Literature Festival; D. Aaliya, Festival Chairperson; Dr. Pankaj KP Shreyaskar, Festival Advisor & Official Spokesperson; and Ganga Kumar, Festival Director.
Envisioned as more than an annual literary gathering, the festival seeks to position itself as an ongoing movement of ideas and cultural exchange. Through Nalanda Literature Dialogues, the organisers plan to bring together writers, scholars, policymakers, artists, academicians and young voices to build a vibrant scholarly ecosystem rooted in India’s civilisational knowledge systems while engaging with contemporary global discourse.
A key focus of the initiative will be the promotion of regional and indigenous literary traditions, especially from Bihar and the North-Eastern states. The programme includes 12 Cities, 12 Destinations and 12 Pre-Events across India, along with an international pre-event to expand global participation.
The year-long calendar will feature monthly digital conversations and podcasts, a Writer-in-Residence programme in Bihar, and community-led Literature Circles titled Bhasharath across Bihar and the North-East. University Dialogues are also planned to connect academic institutions across India and Asia, encouraging collaboration and exchange. The festival further aims to promote translation projects, archival initiatives and long-term documentation efforts.
Addressing the media, Dr. Sonal Mansingh said, “Literature must move beyond being a mere fashion statement and evolve into a living hub of India’s knowledge systems—where dialogue, debate, and art come together to create meaning. Our role, therefore, is to build a space where these elements converge as a dynamic expression of India’s knowledge traditions. This is the experience that the Nalanda Literature Festival seeks to offer.”
D. Aaliya said, “Nalanda is not merely a place in history; it is an idea that continues to inspire the world. Through the Nalanda Literature Festival, we seek to create a platform where India’s timeless wisdom can engage with meaningful conversations.”
Dr. Pankaj KP Shreyaskar said, “The Nalanda Literature Festival seeks to reimagine Nalanda in a modern context by reviving its legacy of knowledge, debate, and dialogue, where science, art, and Indian wisdom come together and where every individual shares responsibility for nurturing ideas and giving emerging voices the platform they deserve. This may be a humble effort, but it is a meaningful small drop in the vast ocean of knowledge.”
Ganga Kumar said, “At Nalanda, we are not merely creating a platform for celebrated voices, but bringing together the wisdom of established writers and the energy of new-age authors on one shared stage. As Nalanda University marks 1600 years next year, our vision for the upcoming edition reflects a timeless exchange — the world in Nalanda, and Nalanda in the world.”
The initiative will be supported through collaborations with key ministries, state governments, universities across India and Asia, UNESCO-linked institutions, Asian literary festivals, cultural embassies, publishers and EdTech platforms.
With this new phase, the Nalanda Literature Festival aims to evolve into a long-term cultural and knowledge-led movement that not only celebrates literature but also fosters dialogue, preserves heritage and shapes the future of ideas.
