Delhi, April 4, 2026: Building on its vision of celebrating culture, creativity, and dialogue in the Eastern Himalayas, the Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival 2026 (SALF 2026), an initiative of the Hon’ble Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), presented by the Students’ Welfare Board, Education Department, Government of Sikkim, and producers of the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival, Teamwork Arts, unveiled a dynamic line-up of acclaimed writers, thinkers, and artists, in a thoughtfully curated programme. In its 2nd edition, the Festival aims to bring together leading literary voices and cultural practitioners from India and around the world, offering audiences a rich tapestry of ideas, stories, and perspectives, taking place from 26th to 28th April 2026 at The Ridge Park, Gangtok, Sikkim.
Prominent speakers include Sahitya Akademi Award-winning author Mamang Dai; author, co-founder and co-director of the Jaipur Literature Festival, Namita Gokhale; poet and cultural voice Shankar Deo Dhakal, acclaimed poet and literary critic Ranjit Hoskote, Indian Nepali-language writer Chuden Kabimo, eminent poet Robin S. Ngangom, and renowned historian, author, co-founder and co-director of the Jaipur Literature Festival, William Dalrymple. They will be joined by an eclectic and diverse line-up including Akhilesh Upadhyay, Amrita Tripathi, Anirban Bhattacharyya, Anuradha Sharma, Anurag Basnet, Arundhati Nath, Barsali Bhattacharyya, Bishnupriya Dutt, Bhim Rawat, Carissa Nimah, Charmi Chheda, Chetan Raj Shrestha, Dasho Dorji Dhradul, Dhruba Hazarika, Esha Chatterjee, Guru T. Ladakhi, Hoihnu Hauzel, Ishan Shanavas, Kanishka Gupta, Mona Chettri, Mridula Ramesh, Nawaraj Parajuli, Neha Sinha, Pankaj Thapa, Pema Wangchuk Dorjee, Prabin Khaling, Puneeta Roy, Rachita Taneja, Raman Shrestha, Rosy Chamling, Sakyajit Bhattacharya, Satyadeep S. Chhetri, Sandip Roy, Sidharth Sreekumar, Sonam Ongmu Lasopa, Subi Taba, Suman Billa, Sumeet Shetty, Tashi Chophel, Ujan Dutta, Vivek Menezes, and Yishey Yongda, among others.
The Festival programme reflects Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival commitment to meaningful dialogue, cultural exchange, and intellectual engagement. Key sessions include The Golden Road, where William Dalrymple discusses his latest book exploring India’s pivotal role in ancient Eurasia; The Wild Pulse, with Ishan Shanavas and Neha Sinha in conversation with Pema Wangchuk Dorjee, examining forests, biodiversity, and conservation; and Echoes of Verse, bringing together Mamang Dai, Ranjit Hoskote, Robin S. Ngangom, and Guru T. Ladakhi in an evocative exploration of poetry, identity, and voice. Other sessions include Conversations for the Mind, addressing mental illnesses and the stigma around it, The Nepali Imagination: Between Mountains and Memory, exploring storytelling written in the Nepali language across geographies, and A Natural Disposition: Life in Stories, where Dhruba Hazarika, Chetan Raj Shrestha and Mamang Dai, in conversation with Rosy Chamling, reflect on their narratives rooted in nature, memory, and lived experience.
Mr Aditya Golay, Member of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Soreng – Chakung – “The Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival reflect our state’s commitment to fostering dialogue, creativity, and cultural exchange. As Sikkim continues to emerge as a vibrant hub for arts and ideas, the festival provides an important platform to bring together voices from across India and the world. We are proud to support an initiative that not only celebrates our rich cultural heritage but also encourages meaningful conversations on issues that resonate locally and globally.”
Mr Sonam Chopel Sherpa, Chairman, Students’ Welfare Board, Education Department, Government of Sikkim – “At its core, the Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival is about inspiring young minds and creating opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. By bringing together writers, thinkers, and artists from diverse backgrounds, the festival nurtures curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking among students and young audiences. It is a valuable initiative that strengthens Sikkim’s cultural ecosystem while encouraging the next generation to engage with literature, ideas, and the world around them.”
Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, said, “The Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival is a celebration of ideas, imagination, and cultural dialogue set against one of the most inspiring landscapes in the world. Sikkim, with its deep-rooted traditions and evolving creative energy, offers a powerful setting for conversations that are both local in spirit and global in resonance. Through Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival we hope to create a space where stories connect communities, spark curiosity, and foster a deeper understanding of our shared cultural journeys.”
Syed Shams Jawaid, Festival Producer and Vice President, Festivals and Special Projects, Teamwork Arts, added, “The Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival 2026 is designed as a space for meaningful exchange where diverse voices, ideas and lived experiences come together in conversation. The programme reflects both the cultural richness of the Eastern Himalayas and the urgency of global themes, creating a platform that is inclusive, relevant and deeply engaging. As the festival grows, our focus remains on building a dynamic and sustainable cultural platform that connects communities and inspires dialogue across borders.”
Through these sessions, The Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival 2026 will spotlight themes ranging from literature and poetry to climate change, ecology, identity, mental health, and cultural memory, offering audiences an immersive and thought-provoking experience. The Festival continues to position Sikkim as a vibrant cultural destination where local voices meet global conversations, and where stories from the Eastern Himalayas resonate across the world.
