The sixth edition of the Nepal Literature Festival is all set to start today in the premises of Nepal Tourism Board, in Pardi, Pokhara. Over four days, the fest will see a host of litterateurs, academics, journalists, artists and musicians engage in more than 30 panel discussions on issues ranging from gender equity and politics to ideas, politics and literature. 

Speaking at a press meet, director of the fest Ajit Baral said that, with the fest being held in Pokhara for two consecutive editions, the organisers hope to establish Pokhara as a literary city and further promote the Lake City as a touristic hotspot. Baral also informed that the organisers have introduced musical and cultural performances in this edition of the fest to cater to a wider range of audiences. 

Speaking at the event, poet Saraswati Pratikshya said, “It is a matter of great pride that the Nepal Literature Festival is being held for the second time in Pokhara. This literary celebration has established itself as a much respected brand and will elevate the Lake City’s literary and cultural status. It will be a wonderful platform to highlight national literary trends, while encouraging interaction with international authors.”

Along with a number of Nepali authors, including literary heavyweights such as Buddhisagar, Khagendra Sangroula and 

Narayan Wagle, among many others, the fest will feature discussion with internationally-acclaimed authors such as Ramchandra Guha and Durjoy Datta and Udaya Prakash. 

Further, the fest will also feature painting exhibits, poetry recitals, and concerts—and a special comedy performance by the duo of Haribansha Acharya and Madan Krishna Shrestha. This iteration of the fest will also be broadcast live via YouTube.

The fest is being jointly organised by Bookworm Foundation and Random Readers’ Society, Pokhara.

The festival will run every day from 11 am to 6 pm at the Nepal Tourism Board premises in Pokhara, through Jan 30.