The Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) returns for its 19th edition from 15–19 January 2026 at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur. Widely hailed as the “greatest literary show on Earth,” JLF continues to serve as a vibrant confluence of ideas, stories, and global voices.
Presented by Vedanta and produced by Teamwork Arts, the 2026 edition will bring together over 350 speakers across six venues, offering an expansive programme covering fiction, poetry, history, science, mental health, climate action, cinema, geopolitics, race, identity, and more. The Festival also upholds its core mission: celebrating linguistic diversity and India’s rich literary heritage through inclusive, multilingual discourse.
This year’s first list of announced speakers features an impressive mix of global literary icons, award-winning authors, and thought leaders, including:
- Olga Tokarczuk (Nobel Laureate),
- Timothy Berners-Lee (Inventor of the World Wide Web),
- Stephen Fry (Writer, actor, and broadcaster),
- Anamika, Anand Neelakantan, Anuradha Roy, Shobhaa Dé,
- Manu Joseph, Kate Mosse, Jon Lee Anderson, Hallie Rubenhold,
- Jung Chang, Helen Molesworth, Gopalkrishna Gandhi,
- Kim Ghattas, Edward Luce, Rashmi Narzary, Salma, and
- Vishwanathan Anand and others.
Festival Leaders Speak
Namita Gokhale, Festival Co-Director, noted:
“JLF 2026 promises a vintage edition. Our sessions traverse continents and cultures, with a strong focus on the diverse world of Indian languages and emerging global themes – from AI and publishing to shifting geopolitical realities. As always, January is when the world visits Jaipur, and Jaipur visits the world.”
William Dalrymple, Festival Co-Director, added:
“This festival is a celebration of stories—written and oral—and their power to inspire and connect. We’re thrilled to welcome another extraordinary lineup of thinkers, writers, and dreamers to the Pink City.”
Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, said:
“JLF has become a global platform for culture, creativity, and collaboration. In our 19th year, we continue to spotlight storytelling as a force for empathy, innovation, and shared understanding.”
Cultural Extensions
In addition to its core programming, JLF 2026 will host the 13th edition of Jaipur BookMark (JBM), a premier B2B platform for publishers, literary agents, translators, and writers that fosters industry collaboration.
The Festival also celebrates heritage and the arts with signature events:
- Jaipur Music Stage: Evening performances by leading Indian and international musicians.
- Amer Fort Evening: A cultural showcase set against the backdrop of the majestic fort.
For nearly two decades, the Jaipur Literature Festival has remained a democratic, inclusive, and non-aligned platform for meaningful dialogue and cultural exchange, uniting readers and writers from around the world.
Save the Dates:
15–19 January 2026
Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur