Chinar Book Festival Set to Enrich Srinagar's Literary Landscape from August 17

Srinagar's Chinar Book Festival at SKICC (Aug 17-25) celebrates literature and culture with 200+ stalls, workshops, and performances, featuring top scholars and artists.

on Aug 14, 2024

Srinagar is gearing up for its largest literary event to date, as the Chinar Book Festival prepares to unfold at SKICC from August 17 to 25. This landmark event, organized in collaboration with the National Book Trust, India (Ministry of Education) and the District Administration Srinagar, marks the first national book festival in the Kashmir Valley. It will be complemented by participation from the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL).

The festival will showcase an impressive array of over 200 stalls, offering books in diverse languages such as English, Urdu, Kashmiri, Hindi, and Dogri. Attendees will have the chance to explore publications from over a thousand national and private publishers, along with special discounts on a vast selection of books.

Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat highlighted the festival's significance in a recent press conference, noting that it would provide a rare opportunity for the local community to engage in literary and artistic activities. The event will feature creative writing workshops, including Calligraphy, Storytelling, and Art Workshops, aimed at children. There will also be career-oriented sessions for youth, offering valuable interactions with prominent figures in literature and culture.

The festival's schedule includes a range of activities such as discussions on Kashmir’s portrayal in films and literature, poetry, and the region's rich heritage in performing arts. Esteemed scholars and artists like Chandra Prakash Dwivedi, Ashwath Bhat, Vishal Bhardwaj, and Dr. Sangeeta Gundecha will contribute to the discourse. The Cultural Stage Kala-e-Kashmir will host performances by Rekha Bhardwaj, Noor Mohammad, Rahgir, and various local bands, enhancing the festival's cultural vibrancy.

In addition, the festival will feature exhibitions by the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) on Kashmir's cultural heritage and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) showcasing India’s space journey, aligning with National Space Day.

Yuvraj Malik, Director of the National Book Trust, emphasized that this festival is both a celebration of Kashmir's literary legacy and a platform for showcasing Urdu literature. He encouraged parents and educators to bring children to experience the festival, particularly during the nationwide Bagless Day in schools.

With more than 50,000 children already registered, the Chinar Book Festival promises to be a significant event in Srinagar, fostering a deep connection between literature, art, and the community.