FOSWAL Literature Festival Kicks Off in Delhi, Spotlighting Israel-Palestine and Russia-Ukraine Conflicts

Discover stories of global conflicts at FOSWAL Lit Fest in Delhi. Authors from SAARC nations explore Israel-Palestine and Ukraine-Russia issues through engaging discussions.

on Dec 04, 2023

FOSWAL Literature Festival Kicks Off in Delhi, Spotlighting Israel-Palestine and Russia-Ukraine Conflicts | Frontlist

Delhi is set to host the FOSWAL (Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature) Literature Festival, a vision of author Ajeet Cour dating back to 1985. The festival, held at the Academy of Fine Arts and Literature in Siri Fort Institutional Area from December 3 to 6, aims to unite writers from the SAARC region to celebrate and discuss regional writings. Despite over three decades passing, the festival's core objective remains unchanged, with Cour navigating the festival's course amid shifting political dynamics between nations.

This year's festival will feature dedicated sessions addressing two prominent global conflicts—the Israel-Palestine and Ukraine-Russia conflicts. Ajeet Cour, FOSWAL's president, expresses the importance of writers and poets engaging with the anguish caused by wars, particularly in a country like India that has experienced prolonged terrorism and conflicts.

The event, hosting participants from six countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, will showcase notable figures such as Shankar Prasad Sharma (Nepal's Ambassador to India), NN Vohra (Former Governor for Jammu and Kashmir), professor Ashis Nandy, and Priyanga Wickramasinghe (Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka).

Acknowledging the festival's endurance despite discontinued government funding, Cour emphasizes the continued support from authors in the region who value the forum's significance. While relations with Pakistan and Afghanistan impact delegate participation, authors from these countries still express interest in the event. Cour reminisces about the festival's inaugural 1987 edition, which included ten authors from Pakistan, showcasing the festival's historical ties.

The festival's inauguration on December 3 will feature Ajeet Cour's address and a session on "Bhakti, Buddhism, Sufism." Subsequent days will include poetry readings in Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi, as well as sessions dedicated to fiction excerpts, papers, and translation. Cour underscores the extensive effort invested in research, curation, and outreach to ensure the participation of individuals deemed essential to the event's success.