KATHMANDU, JUNE 4
The fourth edition of the Kathmandu Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) will be held in Kathmandu on June 6–7, bringing together prominent writers, artists, filmmakers, scholars, diplomats and public intellectuals from Nepal, India and across South Asia.
Organised under the theme "Beyond Borders: South Asian Literature in a Changing World," the two-day event at Hotel Himalaya aims to explore the role of literature, culture, spirituality and creative expression in fostering regional dialogue and cooperation.
Former Chief Justice and former interim prime minister Sushila Karki will attend the festival as chief guest.
According to the organisers, the festival will feature panel discussions, literary conversations, poetry readings, musical performances and dialogues on subjects ranging from India-Nepal cultural relations and translation to climate change, tourism, spirituality, cinema and public memory.
The organisers said the festival has emerged as an important platform for strengthening people-to-people ties between Nepal and India since its launch in Kathmandu in 2022. This year's edition will also see participation from members of the South Asian diaspora from cities including Dubai and London.
Among the notable participants are Piyush Mishra, Ila Arun, Pratibha Ray, Vikas Swarup and Abhi Subedi, alongside other leading literary and cultural figures.
Festival organisers said special emphasis will be placed on the centuries-old civilisational links between Nepal and India, highlighting shared literary traditions, pilgrimage routes, cultural exchanges and Himalayan heritage.
The Kathmandu edition forms part of the broader Kalinga Literary Festival network, which seeks to promote literature, culture and civilisational dialogue across South Asia.