Jaipur Literature Festival to be held from Jan 15, feature Kiran Desai, Stephen Fry

The Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) widely regarded as one of India’s biggest and most influential literary gatherings will return with its 19th edition from January 15 to 19 , with organisers announcing a strong focus on Hindi literature, Rajasthani voices , and the broader celebration of regional cultural traditions .

At a press conference in Jaipur, Teamwork Arts Managing Director Sanjoy K Roy said the festival has evolved into a global “meeting ground for ideas, imagination and dialogue,” while staying rooted in India’s intellectual and cultural life. He underlined that the 2026 edition reflects a continuing belief that literature can spark conversation, nurture empathy , and help society engage with the “complexities of our times.”

A key highlight of this edition is its diverse and high-profile lineup , featuring acclaimed novelist Kiran Desai and celebrated author-broadcaster Stephen Fry , reinforcing JLF’s stature as a platform that blends Indian literary excellence with global thought leadership. Alongside them, the festival will host a wide range of speakers including Javed Akhtar, Sudha Murty, Tim Berners-Lee, Nobel laureate Esther Duflo, Anne Applebaum, Leo Varadkar, Vir Das, Viswanathan Anand and Shikhar Dhawan , among others showcasing the festival’s expanding canvas across literature, public policy, arts, humour, sports and global affairs.

Adding a distinct cultural and literary significance, organisers also announced the Mahakavi Kanhaiyalal Sethia Award for Poetry 2026 , instituted in memory of the noted Rajasthani and Hindi poet. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and will be presented on January 17 during the festival, further amplifying the event’s emphasis on Indian language literature and poetic traditions.

Running alongside JLF, Jaipur BookMark , South Asia’s publishing conclave, will hold its 13th edition , with key discussions expected around Indian languages, translation markets , and emerging trends such as the growing influence of artificial intelligence in publishing . The Royal Norwegian Embassy has been named the country partner for Jaipur BookMark 2026, underscoring the international dimension of the publishing discussions.

The festival will also spotlight India’s musical heritage through the Jaipur Music Stage and Morning Music sessions, presenting performances spanning classical, folk and contemporary traditions from across the country. Organisers said the event will continue its commitment to accessibility and inclusion, including sign language interpretation sessions to enable wider participation.

With leading voices like Kiran Desai and Stephen Fry headlining the speaker list and an expanded focus on Indian language literature, regional traditions, publishing innovation and cultural performances, the Jaipur Literature Festival from January 15 is expected to reaffirm its status as a major global platform for literary and intellectual dialogue.