- Shri Vijender Gupta, Hon’ble Speaker, Delhi Legislative Assembly, presided over the opening of the Delhi Literature Festival 2026
- E. Mr. Juan Antonio March Pujol, Ambassador of Spain to India, attended as Guest of Honour, reinforcing the festival’s global cultural engagement
- The festival features a distinguished line-up of authors and public intellectuals including Acharya Prashant, Seema Anand, Stuti Changle, Nilotpal Mrinal, Sachchidanand Joshi, and Shambhu Shikhar
New Delhi, February 6, 2026: The 14th edition of the Delhi Literature Festival 2026 commenced today with a distinguished inaugural session at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Amphitheatre, Janpath, setting the tone for three days of strong literary dialogue and cultural exchange. Centred on the theme ‘Sahitya, Sanskriti aur Samriddhi’, the opening evening brought together eminent policymakers, diplomats, authors, and cultural voices, reaffirming literature’s role in shaping India’s intellectual and civilisational ethos.
The inaugural session was presided over by Vijender Gupta, Hon’ble Speaker, Delhi Legislative Assembly, who emphasised the enduring role of literature in strengthening democratic values, nurturing critical thinking, and preserving India’s civilisational continuity.
The occasion was further elevated by the presence of Juan Antonio March Pujol, Ambassador of Spain to India, as Guest of Honour. In his keynote address, delivered as India and Spain mark 70 years of diplomatic relations, the Ambassador reflected on the evolving intersections of literature, technology, and culture, including the growing influence of artificial intelligence on creative expression.
Speaking on the occasion, Bharati Bhargava, Chairperson, Delhi Literature Festival, said, “The Delhi Literature Festival has always served as a vibrant meeting ground for literature, public life, and the exchange of ideas. Aligned with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi’, this year’s theme, ‘Sahitya, Sanskriti aur Samriddhi’, reflects the seamless integration of literary expression, cultural heritage, and progress. We are honoured to host an exceptional line-up of acclaimed and bestselling authors from India and abroad, and to welcome His Excellency, the Ambassador of Spain, as Guest of Honour during this milestone year of Indo-Spain relations. The festival will also pay a special tribute to the late Shri Vinod Kumar Shukla ji, whose contribution to Hindi literature continues to inspire generations.”
The inaugural evening also featured the Delhi Literature Festival & Author Awards 2026, recognising excellence in literary contribution across languages and genres. The Delhi Literature Festival Awards 2025 honoured winners across 13 literary categories, while also spotlighting emerging voices through the ‘Writers of the New Century’ competition.
Day 1 concluded with a compelling session on Truth Without Apology (HarperCollins) by Acharya Prashant, which drew strong audience engagement and thoughtful reflection.
The festival continues until February 8, 2026, and is open to the public free of charge. Over the three-day programme, the festival will host a diverse line-up of acclaimed authors, poets, and public intellectuals, including Seema Anand, Stuti Changle, Kevin Missal, Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri, Nilotpal Mrinal, Sachchidanand Joshi, Neha Sinha, and Shambhu Shikhar.
Through author conversations, book discussions, poetry readings, and thematic sessions, the festival will engage audiences with contemporary literature, culture, ecology, mythology, and social thought, reinforcing its position as a leading platform for literary and intellectual exchange.
