The cultural calendar of Kolkata receives a major highlight as the 17th Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival (AKLF) announces its grand return. The festival is scheduled to unfold over three days from January 9 to 11, 2026, promising a vibrant confluence of literature, ideas, and cultural exchange. The primary venue for this intellectual extravaganza will be the historic Alipore Museum, with select sessions also being hosted at The Park, Kolkata.
A Stellar Gathering of Luminaries
This edition of the festival boasts an impressive assembly of over 100 prominent voices drawn from diverse fields. The lineup is a veritable who's who, featuring celebrated personalities from literature, cinema, politics, wellness, journalism, and the arts. Attendees can look forward to insights from legendary filmmaker and actor Aparna Sen, cinema icon Madhabi Mukherjee, and acclaimed writer-politician Dr. Shashi Tharoor.
The list of distinguished participants also includes authors Jeet Thayil, Jerry Pinto, Shobhaa De, Anand Neelakantan, and Benyamin, alongside political figure Brinda Karat, wellness expert Luke Coutinho, comedian Mallika Dua, and singing legend Usha Uthup. IPS officer-turned-author Amit Lodha will also be present, adding to the festival's diverse perspectives. The event will further be enriched by the participation of several international writers and scholars.
Curated Themes and Special Tributes
The AKLF 2026 programme has been thoughtfully curated to span a wide range of compelling themes. Discussions will delve into gender, mythology, history, crime writing, wellness, translation, and contemporary social discourse. A significant highlight of this edition will be the centennial tributes paid to two towering figures: the revered writer and activist Mahasweta Devi and the influential filmmaker Raj Khosla.
Festival-goers can anticipate a rich array of sessions. Key highlights include 'Aparna Sen Unplugged', 'Motherlode: Mining the Myths', and 'Celebrating the City: An Adda'. A session titled 'Tok Jhaal Mishti: What Sets Bengal’s Cuisine Apart' will explore the region's culinary heritage. The agenda is packed with conversations dissecting literature, cinema, identity, and urban culture.
Day-by-Day Festival Highlights
The opening day, January 9, will feature an inauguration ceremony with Usha Uthup and the launch of Madhabi Mukherjee’s memoir. This will be followed by engaging discussions on mythology, cinema, and wellness topics.
The final day, January 11, will shift focus to gripping genres with crime and thriller discussions led by Amit Lodha. Jerry Pinto will lead a reflective session on life and mortality, while Shobhaa De will engage in conversations about sensuality. Author Jeet Thayil will present his session, 'The Elsewhereans'. The grand finale of the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival will be marked by the Kolkata launch of Dr. Shashi Tharoor’s latest book, 'The Sage Who Reimagined Hinduism'.
With its diverse slate of speakers, landmark tributes, and expansive thematic range, AKLF 2026 is poised to deliver a profoundly thought-provoking edition. It remains deeply rooted in Kolkata’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage, continuing its legacy as a premier platform for dialogue and discovery.
