Srinagar, Jul 16: Against the breathtaking backdrop of Dal Lake, the third edition of the Chinar Book Festival will bring together readers, writers, publishers, and artists from across the country for nine days of literature, dialogue, and cultural celebration from July 18 to 26, 2026, at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar.
Organised by the National Book Trust, India, under the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the District Administration, Srinagar, and the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), the festival will transform SKICC into Kashmir’s largest literary and cultural celebration, featuring more than 200 publishers and book stalls displaying titles in English, Urdu, Kashmiri, Hindi, and several other Indian languages.
The festival will be inaugurated on July 18 by Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha in the presence of senior officials of the district administration, School Education Department, Higher Education Department, NCPUL, and National Book Trust, India. The festival’s tagline, “Together We Read, Together We Lead” (Mil Kar Padhenge, Mil Kar Badhenge) , reflects a commitment to promoting reading as a shared community movement.
A major highlight will be the release of 24 bilingual books developed through the first-ever Gojri Translation Workshop conducted during the 2025 edition, comprising titles in Dogri–Gojri, English–Gojri, Kashmiri–Gojri, Urdu–Gojri, and Hindi–Gojri. The festival will also witness the release of the first set of novels under the Rajtarangini Samvad initiative, reimagining characters from Kalhana’s Rajtarangini for contemporary readers, including titles on Yashovati, Lalitaditya, Jayapida, Kota Rani, and Matrigupta.
Two significant publications will also be released: The City of Seven Bridges, the English translation of Gauri Shankar Raina’s acclaimed Hindi work Saat Pulon Ka Shahar, and An Indian Muslim Speaks by noted Islamic scholar Dr. Hafeezur Rahman.
The festival will host more than 800 artists, including local artists, authors, curators, and performers, over nine days. Literary sessions will feature renowned writers, journalists, scholars, educationists, filmmakers, and public intellectuals, along with Mushairas, Sufiyana performances, and cultural evenings.
The Children’s Corner will feature creative workshops, storytelling sessions, and interactive activities. Visitors can explore Rashtriya e-Pustakalaya, a digital library platform offering free access to thousands of e-books. A landmark addition is the ‘5K Reading Run’ , a flagship event of Shiksha Saptah 2026, bringing together thousands of schoolchildren in a celebration of reading and fitness.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo encouraged people from across Jammu and Kashmir to participate, emphasising the festival as a platform for learning, creativity, and inspiration. National Book Trust Director Yuvraj Malik said the festival would be a grand celebration of books, ideas, and culture for readers of all ages. Dr Amit Wanchoo, Chief Convener, highlighted a special Innovators’ Meet featuring student innovators from SKUAST-K, IUST, and the University of Kashmir. NCPUL Director Dr Shams Equbal appealed to the younger generation and lovers of Urdu to participate in dedicated Urdu literary sessions and Mushairas.
From July 18 to 26, the Chinar Book Festival warmly invites readers, students, educators, writers, and families to come together and celebrate the joy of books and reading set against the timeless beauty and cultural warmth of Kashmir.
