12th Kalinga Literary Festival 2026 to be Held from 8–11 January

Bhubaneswar, 3.01.2026: The Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) today announced the 12th edition of the festival, scheduled to be held from 8 to 11 January 2026 at Mayfair, Bhubaneswar. Set in Odisha’s historic Temple City, KLF 2026 will bring together writers, translators, thinkers, artists, legislators, diplomats, policymakers and cultural leaders from India, South Asia, the United States of America, Europe and other parts of the world for four days of dialogue, debate and celebration of ideas.

Widely recognised as one of India’s most inclusive and multilingual literary platforms, KLF has grown into a unique meeting ground where Indian and global languages engage with world literature and where stories intersect with democracy, culture, society and the future. The 2026 edition marks the festival’s most ambitious programme to date, featuring over 100 thought provoking sessions, curated across five parallel halls, more than 500 speakers, and 200 artists.

The 12th Kalinga Literary Festival 2026 will open with a grand inaugural ceremony with Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati, Hon’ble Governor of Odisha, as the Chief Guest. Distinguished Guests of Honour include Dr Upali Pannilage, Hon’ble Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Government of Sri Lanka; Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha; Suryabanshi Suraj, Minister of Culture and Sports, Odisha; Harivansh Narayan Singh, Hon’ble Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha; Sujeet Kumar- MP Rajya Sabha,  Dr. Binod Chaudhury of Nepal, a former Member of Parliament;  and Dr Pratibha Ray noted Jnanpith Award winner.

The inaugural evening will feature the conferment of KLF Literary Awards, the launch of the Legislators for Literature initiative, a special “Made in Nepal” session with Dr Chaudhury, followed by a musical performance by Malini Awasthi and Yatindra Mishra.

The central theme of KLF 2026 is: “Stories That Shape Humanity: Translating Worlds, Transforming Futures.” The theme highlights translation, storytelling and cultural exchange as powerful forces that transcend borders, shape identities, foster empathy and reimagine humanity’s shared future.

KLF 2026 will host conversations across a wide range of themes, including: Translation, Language & World Literature, Women, Gender & Empowerment, Politics, Democracy & Public Policy, Technology, Media & Artificial Intelligence, Cinema, Performing Arts & Popular Culture, Business, Leadership & Institution Building, Climate, Ecology & Sustainability, Bhakti, Indic Knowledge Systems & Civilisational Thought, Sports, Biography & Lived Experience.

Dedicated strands will celebrate Hindi and Odia literature, Indian languages and translation, women’s writing, mental health, climate and sustainability, publishing futures, poetry across borders, Mushaira, Kavi Sammelan, and classical dance traditions including Odissi and Chhau.

KLF 2026 will confer the Kalinga Literary Award, Kalinga Literary Award (International) and Kalinga Literary Award (Youth), along with the Penguin–KLF Book Review Project Awards and Inter-School Debate Competition awards. Cultural evenings will feature poetry, music and dance performances, offering special showcases of India’s rich artistic traditions.

The festival will feature a distinguished line-up of speakers and panellists including Preeti Shenoy, Vikas Swarup, Ranjit Hoskote, Ram Madhav, Rahul Pandita, Lakshmi Puri, Divya Dutta, Sudhir Mishra, Safeena Husain, Anand Neelakantan, Daisy Rockwell, Malini Awasthi, and many others, along with prominent Hindi and Odia poets, scholars, editors, diplomats, bureaucrats and cultural practitioners from across India and abroad.

With strong student participation, KLF 2026 continues its focus on mentoring young writers and readers through dialogues, book reviews and open forums, nurturing the next generation of cultural and intellectual leaders.

Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Founder and Director, Kalinga Literary Festival, said,
“Over the last twelve years, KLF has evolved into a living platform for dialogue between languages and literatures, generations and geographies. Rooted in Odisha’s civilisational ethos and open to the world, KLF 2026 reflects our belief that stories do more than entertain—they shape empathy, influence ideas and help societies imagine better futures.”

Ashok Kumar Bal, CEO and Patron, Kalinga Literary Festival, added, “KLF 2026 reaffirms literature as one of humanity’s most enduring technologies, capable of preserving memory, questioning power and inspiring renewal. At a time of rapid digital change, the festival brings together voices that remind us why storytelling remains central to civilisation.”