The world-renowned Jaipur Literature Festival, celebrated as the “greatest literary show on earth,” is set to return for its 18th edition from January 30 to February 3, 2025, at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur. Produced by Teamwork Arts, India’s leading curation company, the Festival promises to inspire, engage, and challenge audiences through its dynamic and transformative programming.
This year’s Festival will once again serve as a vibrant platform for both local and global voices, offering a space to bridge divides and spotlight diverse perspectives. With a lineup of over 300 distinguished speakers, the 2025 edition will feature thought-provoking debates, enthralling storytelling, and powerful discourses.
Highlights from the Programme
- Poor Economics for the Young
Nobel laureate Esther Duflo and illustrator Cheyenne Olivier explore economic concepts in their engaging book Poor Economics for Kids, encouraging young minds to embrace empathy and social awareness. - Our City That Year
International Booker Prize winner Geetanjali Shree and translator Daisy Rockwell delve into the societal fragmentation depicted in Our City That Year, highlighting themes of communalism and resilience. - David Hare: A Life in Theatre and Film
Acclaimed British playwright David Hare shares his creative journey, discussing iconic works like The Secret Rapture and Skylight and their impact on global theatre and film. - India’s First Diplomats
Journalist Kallol Bhattacharjee, former diplomats TCA Raghavan and Navtej Sarna, and other experts reflect on the diplomacy and foreign policy initiatives that shaped independent India. - Roman Year: A Memoir
Renowned author André Aciman recounts his literary journey and the themes of love, memory, and identity in a session moderated by novelist Shivani Sibal. - Kairos: The Heart Divided
International Booker Prize winner Jenny Erpenbeck and translator Michael Hofmann discuss their book Kairos, set in East Berlin during the 1980s, and its exploration of love and societal change. - The Personal Is Political
Social activist Aruna Roy reflects on her journey of public service and pivotal contributions, including the Right to Information Act, in a session focused on her memoir The Personal Is Political. - Why We Die: The New Science of Ageing and the Quest for Immortality
Nobel laureate Venki Ramakrishnan examines the science of mortality and humanity’s quest for immortality in a discussion moderated by Roger Highfield. - Two Sages: Gandhi and Tolstoy
Descendants Gopalkrishna Gandhi and Daniil Tolstoy explore the enduring legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy, reflecting on their shared ideologies and relevance today. - Deep Water: The World in the Ocean
Author James Bradley, alongside environmental experts, discusses humanity’s intricate ties to the ocean and the urgent need for environmental stewardship.
Festival Segments and Experiences
Beyond the thought-provoking sessions, the Festival offers a range of parallel events:
- Jaipur BookMark (JBM): Celebrating its 11th edition, JBM serves as a premier B2B platform for the publishing industry.
- Jaipur Music Stage: Showcasing mesmerizing performances by renowned Indian and international artists.
- Heritage Evenings: Immersive cultural events set against Jaipur’s historic backdrops.
- Festival Buzzaar: A marketplace for artisanal products and handicrafts.
- Festival Bookshop: Stocking books by Festival authors for bibliophiles.
- Friend of the Festival Package: Offering curated, exclusive experiences for attendees.
Voices Behind the Festival
- Namita Gokhale, Festival Co-Director:
“The Jaipur Literature Festival 2025 is a mosaic of books, ideas, and epiphanies, interrogating the fractured realities of our world while inspiring belief in a better one.” - William Dalrymple, Festival Co-Director:
“The 2025 edition encapsulates the spirit of our event—a celebration of diverse voices and powerful narratives that inspire audiences globally.” - Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director, Teamwork Arts:
“The Jaipur Literature Festival continues to foster dialogue and storytelling, reaffirming its role as a beacon of intellectual and cultural exchange.”
As a champion of free expression and a melting pot of ideas, the Jaipur Literature Festival remains a cornerstone of global literary culture.
Media registrations are now open. For more details and to view the full programme, visit: www.jaipurliteraturefestival.org.