Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival 2026 announces stellar line-up and engaging programme
The Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival 2026 (SALF) has unveiled an impressive line-up of speakers and a thoughtfully curated programme, reinforcing its vision of celebrating culture, creativity, and dialogue in the Eastern Himalayas.
Now in its second edition, the festival will be held from April 26 to 28, at The Ridge Park in Gangtok, Sikkim. The event is an initiative of Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), presented by the Students’ Welfare Board under the Education Department of the Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with Teamwork Arts, producers of the globally renowned Jaipur Literature Festival.
The festival aims to bring together leading literary voices and cultural practitioners from India and across the globe, offering audiences a diverse range of ideas, stories, and perspectives.
The 2026 edition will feature prominent literary and cultural figures including SahityaAkademi Award-winning author Mamang Dai, author and Jaipur Literature Festival co-founder NamitaGokhale, poet Shankar DeoDhakal, literary critic RanjitHoskote, writer ChudenKabimo, poet Robin S. Ngangom, and historian William Dalrymple.
According to organisers, the programme has been designed to promote meaningful dialogue, cultural exchange, and intellectual engagement.
Key sessions include “The Golden Road,” where William Dalrymple will discuss his latest work on India’s role in ancient Eurasia, and “The Wild Pulse,” focusing on forests, biodiversity, and conservation through discussions led by IshanShanavas and NehaSinha.
Another major session, “Echoes of Verse,” will bring together Mamang Dai, RanjitHoskote, Robin S. Ngangom, and Guru T. Ladakhi to explore poetry, identity, and voice.
Additional discussions will address topics such as mental health in “Conversations for the Mind,” Nepali-language storytelling in “The Nepali Imagination: Between Mountains and Memory,” and nature-driven narratives in “A Natural Disposition: Life in Stories.”
Member of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly AdityaGolay stated that the festival reflects the state’s commitment to fostering creativity and cultural exchange.
Chairman of the Students’ Welfare Board SonamChopel Sherpa emphasized its role in inspiring young minds and encouraging learning beyond classrooms by connecting students with diverse voices.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts Sanjoy K. Roy described the festival as a celebration of ideas and imagination set against Sikkim’s unique cultural landscape.
Festival Producer Syed Shams Jawaid added that the event is designed as an inclusive platform for meaningful exchange, combining regional cultural richness with globally relevant themes.
